The Creepy Story Behind Haunted Crater Lake In Oregon

There are a large number of locations that are reportedly haunted in Oregon. In fact, some of America’s creepiest haunts can be found in this state, particularly in Southern Oregon, Portland, and on the Oregon Coast. However, not many people would think to include the ever-beautiful Crater Lake on this list. Located in Klamath County, within the Cascade Range of Southwest Oregon, Crater Lake is steeped in mysterious legends. Despite its serene surface, the lake has a dark history filled with strange phenomena and chilling stories.

Flickr / Ron Reiring Crater Lake covers 21 square miles and measures up to 1,949 feet in depth. This makes it the deepest lake in the United States and the 3rd deepest in the world. The lake is so deep, that it was long rumored to be bottomless.

Flickr / taylorhatmaker The prehistoric lake was formed by the collapse of the volcano Mt. Mazama sometime between 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Over time, the caldera filled with rain and snowmelt, eventually forming Crater Lake.

Flickr / Ray Bouknight There are two islands in Crater Lake. Wizard Island is a volcanic cinder cone at the west end of the lake.

Flickr / Feist, Michael - FunnyFence - catchthefuture Phantom Ship Island is named for its unique shape. It is situated on the southeast end of the lake.

Cynthia K/TripAdvisor The area surrounding Crater Lake has long been home to members of the Native Klamath tribes, including the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin. Tribe members recognize Crater Lake as a site of power and danger and fear the dangerous beings that are believed to live inside the lake.

legend1409/TripAdvisor According to legend, the lake was a sort of doorway or crossroads between the darkness of the Below-World, or Hell. The Klamath also believed that if a person stared too long at the lake’s surface, they would be unable to look away. It was thought that the lake had the power to mesmerize and trap people, and even lure them toward their death.

Yelp / Jenny S. There are many chilling stories of early settlers in the region. In 1853, three explorers went searching through the uncharted wilderness for a miner who had gone missing. It was believed that this miner knew the location of a secret gold mine. One of the explorers, a man named John Hillman, claimed that he had found the miner. While Hillman was leading the group to this location, his horse lost its footing, dragging Hillman over the edge of the cliff to his death. The location of the lost miner and secret gold mine remains undiscovered.

Trip Advisor / CharleyNottinghamUK There are also a large number of unexplained deaths and disappearances that have occurred around Crater Lake. Photographer Charles McCullar went missing in 1975, after going out to take winter photos of Crater Lake. Even with extensive search efforts, his body was not discovered until the following year. Strangely, his toe and shin bones were the only body parts found. One ranger described it as if the man had simply melted away.

Wikipedia / US Air Force Additionally, there have been many bizarre cases of aircraft fatalities and disappearances in the area. One of the strangest incidents occurred in the spring of 1944. Two Grumman Torpedo planes were flying in formation when one of the pilots turned and saw that the other plane had simply vanished. It was later determined that the plane had crashed into the lake and sunk to the bottom, even though the weather had been completely clear. It was as if the lake had snatched the aircraft from the sky.

Yelp / John E. Many sightings of Sasquatch have been documented in the area. In one memorable encounter, park rangers reportedly followed a massive, shaggy, and bipedal beast into the forest. They had to turn back when the creature started to violently throw pine cones at them.

Trip Advisor / Atalanta8 Then, there’s the eerie smoke that is said to be seen from Wizard Island at night. Natives claim that these are the spirits of the island. Multiple people have reported seeing dragon-like lake monsters looming beneath the water’s surface around the island. As if things could get any weirder, there have even been UFOs spotted above Crater Lake. Witnesses claim that UFOs flit in and out of the water.

Wikipedia / Jeffrey Johnson Regardless of its mysterious past, Crater Lake remains one of the most stunning areas in all of Oregon.

Crater Lake is open all year round. Visitors can drive around the lake and stop at numerous breathtaking vistas, or take the guided trolley tour around the rim. There’s also a boat tour to Wizard Island. Just make sure to watch out for the lake monsters!

Flickr / Ron Reiring

Crater Lake covers 21 square miles and measures up to 1,949 feet in depth. This makes it the deepest lake in the United States and the 3rd deepest in the world. The lake is so deep, that it was long rumored to be bottomless.

Flickr / taylorhatmaker

The prehistoric lake was formed by the collapse of the volcano Mt. Mazama sometime between 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Over time, the caldera filled with rain and snowmelt, eventually forming Crater Lake.

Flickr / Ray Bouknight

There are two islands in Crater Lake. Wizard Island is a volcanic cinder cone at the west end of the lake.

Flickr / Feist, Michael - FunnyFence - catchthefuture

Phantom Ship Island is named for its unique shape. It is situated on the southeast end of the lake.

Cynthia K/TripAdvisor

The area surrounding Crater Lake has long been home to members of the Native Klamath tribes, including the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin. Tribe members recognize Crater Lake as a site of power and danger and fear the dangerous beings that are believed to live inside the lake.

legend1409/TripAdvisor

According to legend, the lake was a sort of doorway or crossroads between the darkness of the Below-World, or Hell. The Klamath also believed that if a person stared too long at the lake’s surface, they would be unable to look away. It was thought that the lake had the power to mesmerize and trap people, and even lure them toward their death.

Yelp / Jenny S.

There are many chilling stories of early settlers in the region. In 1853, three explorers went searching through the uncharted wilderness for a miner who had gone missing. It was believed that this miner knew the location of a secret gold mine. One of the explorers, a man named John Hillman, claimed that he had found the miner. While Hillman was leading the group to this location, his horse lost its footing, dragging Hillman over the edge of the cliff to his death. The location of the lost miner and secret gold mine remains undiscovered.

Trip Advisor / CharleyNottinghamUK

There are also a large number of unexplained deaths and disappearances that have occurred around Crater Lake. Photographer Charles McCullar went missing in 1975, after going out to take winter photos of Crater Lake. Even with extensive search efforts, his body was not discovered until the following year. Strangely, his toe and shin bones were the only body parts found. One ranger described it as if the man had simply melted away.

Wikipedia / US Air Force

Additionally, there have been many bizarre cases of aircraft fatalities and disappearances in the area. One of the strangest incidents occurred in the spring of 1944. Two Grumman Torpedo planes were flying in formation when one of the pilots turned and saw that the other plane had simply vanished. It was later determined that the plane had crashed into the lake and sunk to the bottom, even though the weather had been completely clear. It was as if the lake had snatched the aircraft from the sky.

Yelp / John E.

Many sightings of Sasquatch have been documented in the area. In one memorable encounter, park rangers reportedly followed a massive, shaggy, and bipedal beast into the forest. They had to turn back when the creature started to violently throw pine cones at them.

Trip Advisor / Atalanta8

Then, there’s the eerie smoke that is said to be seen from Wizard Island at night. Natives claim that these are the spirits of the island. Multiple people have reported seeing dragon-like lake monsters looming beneath the water’s surface around the island. As if things could get any weirder, there have even been UFOs spotted above Crater Lake. Witnesses claim that UFOs flit in and out of the water.

Wikipedia / Jeffrey Johnson

Regardless of its mysterious past, Crater Lake remains one of the most stunning areas in all of Oregon.

Have you paid a visit to the majestic Crater Lake? Did you witness any strange phenomena? Share your experiences in the comments.

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Address: Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Amazing Myths And Legends In Oregon January 03, 2023 William Suphan What is the most haunted town in Oregon? The most haunted town in Oregon is Astoria. The city of Astoria on the Oregon coast is considered to be the most haunted town in the state. It has over 200 years of history and was one of the places where many men were “shanghaied” to work as slaves on ships. The Liberty Theatre is said to be haunted by a ghost named Paul which many cast and crew members claim to have seen. It is said that the old firehouse built in 1856 is haunted by a sleepwalking fireman.

Learn more about the most haunted town in Oregon. What is the Legend of Silent Rock? The Legend of Silent Rock is as follows: Silent Rock at Mt. Hood is located next to Highway 26 and has been the site of many fatal automobile accidents. Locals turn off their radios and remain silent when they pass to not incur its supposed curse. It is said that if they don’t they will have vehicle problems or even a horrible accident. Theories about how this started include a crash in the 1970s where a semi-truck crashed into several cars, causing them to careen down the mountain. Discover more about the Legend of Silent Rock. What is the Legend of The Bandage Man? The Legend of the Bandage Man is as follows: A young couple in the 1960s were parked near Cannon Beach, kissing, and a ghastly figure of a man covered in bandages hopped into the back and began to rock the truck back and forth and pounding on the cab. They drove off with him still beating on the truck and then he suddenly vanished. Many people have since claimed to have seen The Bandage Man in this area on Highway 101 and a short road known as “Bandage Man Road” near Cannon Beach. Find out more about the Legend of Bandage Man.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Amazing Myths And Legends In Oregon

January 03, 2023

William Suphan

What is the most haunted town in Oregon? The most haunted town in Oregon is Astoria. The city of Astoria on the Oregon coast is considered to be the most haunted town in the state. It has over 200 years of history and was one of the places where many men were “shanghaied” to work as slaves on ships. The Liberty Theatre is said to be haunted by a ghost named Paul which many cast and crew members claim to have seen. It is said that the old firehouse built in 1856 is haunted by a sleepwalking fireman.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The most haunted town in Oregon is Astoria.

The city of Astoria on the Oregon coast is considered to be the most haunted town in the state. It has over 200 years of history and was one of the places where many men were “shanghaied” to work as slaves on ships. The Liberty Theatre is said to be haunted by a ghost named Paul which many cast and crew members claim to have seen. It is said that the old firehouse built in 1856 is haunted by a sleepwalking fireman.

Learn more about the most haunted town in Oregon.

What is the Legend of Silent Rock?

The Legend of Silent Rock is as follows:

Silent Rock at Mt. Hood is located next to Highway 26 and has been the site of many fatal automobile accidents. Locals turn off their radios and remain silent when they pass to not incur its supposed curse. It is said that if they don’t they will have vehicle problems or even a horrible accident. Theories about how this started include a crash in the 1970s where a semi-truck crashed into several cars, causing them to careen down the mountain.

Discover more about the Legend of Silent Rock.

What is the Legend of The Bandage Man?

The Legend of the Bandage Man is as follows:

A young couple in the 1960s were parked near Cannon Beach, kissing, and a ghastly figure of a man covered in bandages hopped into the back and began to rock the truck back and forth and pounding on the cab. They drove off with him still beating on the truck and then he suddenly vanished. Many people have since claimed to have seen The Bandage Man in this area on Highway 101 and a short road known as “Bandage Man Road” near Cannon Beach.

Find out more about the Legend of Bandage Man.