Wildlife Viewing

There are no designated places to view birds or large mammals in Crater Lake National Park, but you are likely to see a variety of wildlife just by hiking the trails or exploring the lakeshore.

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Wildlife Viewing Details

There are no designated places to view birds or large mammals in Crater Lake National Park, but you are likely to see a variety of wildlife just by hiking the trails or exploring the lakeshore. The chipmunk is the most common animal in the park; you are almost guaranteed to see at least one on your trip, and probably a lot more. Summer is generally the best time for wildlife viewing, though some animals, like coyotes, also remain active in the winter. The park has several habitats, which means that there are several distinct zones with different types of bird life. At the southern, lower end of the park you’ll find ponderosa pine forest. Between 5,000 and 7,500 feet, the forest changes to mixed pine, fir and hemlock. The more alpine areas of the park above 7,000 feet feature whitebark pines. To see all of the birds that the park has to offer, visit all of these habitats! For those interested in finding reptiles, there are a few specific places to visit. Your best bet for viewing the Northern Sagebrush Lizard is in open, dry areas like the Pinnacles and Cleetwood Cove. The Short-horned Lizard likes sun, exposure, and moist soil. Past sightings have been in the Bear Creek, Sand Creek, and Wheeler Creek drainages. The Northern Alligator Lizard does not come out as often, but you are most likely to see one in areas of dense vegetation or sunny, exposed, rocky areas. At the shores of Wizard Island, look for the Common Garter Snake. There are also several specific locations to see salamanders. Northwest Salamanders can be found in (you guessed it) the northwestern corner of the park. The Long Toed Salamander is slightly more ubiquitous in the park and can be found most places, including the shores of the lake. The Oregon Salamander has been seen before in the park’s Panhandle region and at Annie Spring, Vidae Falls, and Red Blanket Creek. They often hide under moist logs, tree bark, and rocks. There are two species of newts in the park, each with its own specific habitat. The Rough Skinned Newt is often found on the western side of the park, in bogs and the moist areas along water concourses. The Crater Lake Newt is found only in Crater Lake. Two species of frog and one species of toad can be found in moist areas throughout the park. The Boreal Toad often hangs out along streams and in moist meadows. The Pacific Treefrog likewise can be found in moist areas of the park. The Cascades Frog spends its time along waterways, and often lies on the banks.

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