Park Headquarters Historic Trail

Dogs No Dogs

If you're looking for a bit of history while visiting the park, this is the perfect, albeit short, trail for you. At less than a mile and mostly flat, this trail won't be much of a physical challenge, but you'll find yourself immersed in the history of the park.

Brochures available in the main Visitor's Center make this a self-guided loop, where you can learn a bit about the historic Munsen Valley district, the CCC, and the efforts that were required to make Crater Lake the National Park that it is today.

Within a short distance, visitors will come to a large stone carving, known as the Lady of the Woods. Hewn from a massive boulder, this figure was carved by a 31-year old doctor, who administered to the men working on the road crew in 1917. As the season, and the road construction, came to an end, he found that the had more spare time than he knew what to do with. The Lady in the Woods was his solution and his first attempt at sculpture!

Though the sculpture is one of the main highlights of the trail, the rest of the way is a beautiful and relaxing way to start your visit at Crater Lake. You'll pass through the coniferous forest, cross a wet meadow and a creek, and finally return back to the visitors center through the forest.

Many types of coniferous trees are present along the trail, such as noble, and Shasta red fir. In wetter environs, subalpine fir and Scoulder's willow will often dot the trail.