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Park visitation continued to increase during the 1960s with an average annual total of nearly 500,000 for the decade. The highest annual total for the period occurred in 1962 when 592,124 persons entered the park. Superintendent Yeager attributed that figure, which was more than 175,000 above the previous high, to two articles on the park that were printed in the July issue of National Geographic combined with travel to and from the World’s Fair at Seattle from April 21 to October 21. Throughout the decade park visitation was encouraged by articles in national periodicals. [64]

During the 1960s various visitation studies were conducted by the National Park Service to determine visitor use patterns. One such study was conducted in connection with the park master plan during the summer of 1964. An analysis of the 1963 visitor totals revealed that 346,009 of the year’s total visitation of 475,684 entered the park in July, August, and September for a daily average of 3,761. The study found that 83.4 percent of park visitors were from three states: California (45%), Oregon (29%), and Washington (9.4%). During the previous winter more than 90 percent of park visitors had come from the three states. Visitation by various group types was composed primarily of the single car family, although bus tours arrived regularly during the summer. Single entry use constituted more than 99 percent of all permit sales. Fifteen percent of summer visitors stayed in the park overnight, 34 percent staying at the lodge and cabins and 66 percent in the campgrounds. During the summer season 60 percent of park visitors spent 1 to 4 hours in the park and 20 percent 4 to 8 hours. In winter 80 percent of the visitors spent 2 to 4 hours in the park. [65]

Visitor Activities

In 1968 a more detailed analysis of park visitation and visitor use trends was undertaken. The study indicated:

Crater Lake National Park is a stopover rather than a terminal destination area. Visitation occurs predominantly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 1968, this period accounted for roughly 75% of the 578,000 total visitation. Autumn, September through November, received 15% of use; winter, December through February, received two per cent; and spring, March through May, received eight per cent.

Park visitation is primarily sightseeing in nature and is increasing at a modest rate, projected at about 50,000 (+9%) annually. Camping pressure is increasing at a substantial rate, particularly in the self-contained vehicular class. During the summer the demand for overnight accommodations usually exceeds the park capacity of 290 campsites by early evening.

The park is within three hours drive of several population centers such as Klamath Falls, Medford, Grants Pass, Eugene, and Bend, but 45% of summer visitation is from California, 26% from Oregon and eight per cent from Washington. The remaining 20% is from all other states, none of which accounts for a significant representation. Access to the park is through Klamath Falls to the south, Medford to the west, and Bend to the north.

Picnic areas are well used. About two percent of summer visitors use park picnic sites. Hiking is relatively light, being centered around the trails to Cleetwood Cove, Watchman Lookout, Garfield Peak, with lesser use on the Mount Scott, Union Peak, and Cascade trails. Each summer three or four horseback parties ride the Cascade Trail. Fishing is common but light on the lake and minimal on park streams. Boating is confined to concession-operated boat tours on the lake. Winter use shows a great increase in oversnow vehicle use. Over 500 such vehicles were recorded during the winter of 1968-69; most use occurs from February through April.