Crater Lake's water comes only from rain and snowfall. It is actually one of the purest lakes in the world, so you can rest assured that it is very clean and safe to swim in!
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Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake. Depending on snow conditions, the trail is usually open from mid-June to late October. Swimming, wading and fishing are permitted in the lake.
It's harmless to the lake and will eventually settle out to the bottom. How cold is the water? The average temperature (below 300 feet deep) is 38°. In the summer, the surface can warm up to 55° or 60°.
The park has more than 90 miles of hiking trails, but in May and June they are typically covered by deep snow. When snow-covered, most trails are either too difficult to follow, or too dangerous.
Landslides or rock falls could be triggered within Crater Lake caldera by earthquakes or by renewed volcanic activity. Failure of part of the caldera wall could cause a rapidly moving material to enter the lake, which may produce one or more large waves that could travel rapidly across Crater Lake and impact its shore.
If you want to explore further, follow the crowds across the road and to the top of the trail. From there, you can descend 700 feet in just over a mile to the shores of Crater Lake—the only place in the park you can legally and safely get down to touch the water.
Located in Oregon, it is known for its vibrant blue color and purity. Because there are no inflowing streams, the lake is fed solely by rain and snow. It is the cleanest and clearest large body of water in the world, according to the National Park Service.
Short answer, yes, but there is actually only one place where it is safe and legal to get down to the lake shore and swim at Crater Lake National Park. It is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which usually opens mid to late June.
Crater Lake is not only the deepest lake in the country (nearly 1,950 feet), but it is also one of the cleanest. The Crater Lake Institute reports, “It's not pure water, but it's close…with no sediments, algae, pesticides, or pollution.”