The dark side of this famous Oregon lake that nobody talks about

Considering that Crater Lake National Park is only fully open for a few weeks each year, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the less visited national parks in the U.S. Yet, as Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake draws fans from around the world as visitors flock to the country’s deepest lake.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are a few bodies (literally) hidden in the deep blue waters amid the mountains. Although Crater Lake is not Lake Mead, which has the highest fatality rate in the U.S., the number of accidents is disproportionately high compared to the park’s overall visitor numbers. Given the deep waters and lack of development in the area, some wonder if something more supernatural is at the root of the problem.

So what’s the story behind the mysterious deaths at Crater Lake? What can future travelers do to avoid becoming the next skeleton in the basement?

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Crater Lake National Park: Facts and Statistics

Crater Lake is often surrounded by snow and is very remote and difficult to reach

Because of its short season, Crater Lake receives an average of just over half a million visitors each year, with most guests arriving between July and September, when the scenic drive around the lake is (usually) fully open.

The low number of visitors may be the only reason why Crater Lake is not one of the national parks with the most missing persons, because the lower number of visitors also means that the number of deaths and missing persons is low, at least on paper.

Crater Lake’s remote location is another obstacle. With the road covered in feet of snow well into June, the drive to Crater Lake is relatively barren, with no towns or amenities. Visitors often have to hike into various wilderness areas around the lake, with only the supplies in their vehicle to sustain themselves.

The lake itself seems equally inhospitable. Crater Lake is on average almost 600 meters deep and feels practically bottomless, which adds to the aura of mystery of this ancient region.

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Notable deaths in Crater Lake National Park

Even the seemingly normal deaths have a creepy undertone in Crater Lake

Much like Mount Rainier in Washington, where there are over 400 missing persons cases, Crater Lake seems to be a magnet for unusual deaths and disappearances. Crater Lake has long been the center of rumors and ghost stories.

Many Native American tribes lived near the lake, and each of them had great respect for the piercing blue water. Crater Lake was both revered and feared, as rumors circulated of creatures living in and around the lake.

As Crater Lake has become a major tourist attraction, more than one visitor has discovered that Oregon’s original residents may have been right all along. Sasquatch sightings, UFOs, and more than one strange disappearance have led modern visitors to wonder if Crater Lake isn’t a little bit cursed.

When you look at some of the most notable deaths in Crater Lake National Park, it’s easy to see where the stories come from.

Sumedh Mannar (2019)

Sumedh Mannar, a student at Oregon State University, was enjoying one of Crater Lake’s two approved swimming spots, Cleetwood Cove. Mannar jumped off a cliff and was unable to get back up, sparking a large-scale search.

Mannar’s body was found 27 metres below the water’s surface, right on the edge of a large underwater drop-off. Mannar’s death was significant as it was the first drowning at this popular swimming area. Given the persistent tales of underwater monsters lurking in the depths, Mannar’s death sparked a flood of horror stories.

Charles McCullar (1975)

Long before Instagram, aspiring photographer Charles McCullar, 19, came to Crater Lake to expand his growing portfolio. He planned to spend two days at the lake and then drive to a friend’s house, but never arrived.

Despite an extensive search effort involving the FBI, McCullar’s body was not found until a year later. A torn backpack on a virtually undetected trail led to the discovery of McCullar’s body…or what was left of it.

Rangers were immediately confused as to where they had found McCullar, as he was 12 miles from the trailhead. The day McCullar disappeared, there were 102 inches of fresh snow on the ground, not exactly conditions for a long-distance hike.

The skeleton itself made the mystery even more complicated. All the rangers found were pants and socks, with the shin and toe bones snugly in place. No bones were found above the shin, and there was no shirt, coat, or other clues as to what happened to the rest of McCullar. To this day, the true story of what happened to the young photographer is not known.

Crash of the Grumman torpedo plane (1944)

Even the skies around Crater Lake National Park don’t seem safe. Numerous eerie plane crashes have occurred in the park, but the mysterious disappearance of one of two Grumman torpedo planes is the most dramatic.

It was a perfectly clear day when two Grumman torpedo planes flew in formation over the lake. One of the pilots looked over at his companion and noticed that the plane had disappeared. It was determined that the plane crashed into the lake and was never seen again.

With not a single cloud in the sky, it felt as if Crater Lake had grabbed the plane and pulled it into the depths.

Whether supernatural or simply tragic, these deaths in Crater Lake National Park underscore the mysterious nature of many accidents in the region.

Safety in Crater Lake National Park

Communication and preparation are key to safety when visiting Crater Lake

While Crater Lake has tales of sea monsters, Sasquatch, and Bermuda Triangle-like energy, the reality is that nature is unpredictable. Especially in a park as undeveloped as Crater Lake, following best practices and staying on approved trails is essential for safety.

Stay on the trails

Crater Lake Trail – A rugged hiking trail that winds through a pine forest at the base of the Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado, USA.

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice for any outdoor visit, especially in an area like Crater Lake National Park. In 2014, the search began for a long-overdue snowshoer.

After a two-day search, rangers received a tip from another hiker and discovered a trail of snowshoe prints leading off the trail. The prints ended at a collapsed avalanche that dropped about 1,000 feet (330 meters) along the caldera wall. The search was narrowed and the hiker’s body was never found.

There have been numerous other caldera rescues over the years as visitors left the safe path and fell down the steep edges of the caldera that forms Crater Lake. The paths are specifically designed to keep visitors a safe distance from the rim, and the views are not worth leaving the safe path.

Communicate plans

National Park Service patch on a park ranger

One of the most eerie things about the Crater Lake bodies is that many have not been found for years. The remoteness of many trails and poor accessibility mean that without any idea where to go, rangers are unlikely to be able to see where missing travelers have gone.

The quick action of rangers and rescue workers has saved several lives in Crater Lake National Park, and many of the most dramatic missing persons cases in national parks with happy outcomes begin with search crews knowing where to look.

Leaving clear travel plans makes it easier to tell officials if something goes wrong and rescue efforts can get underway more quickly.

A number of other safety tips and tricks will come in handy when visiting Crater Lake. In particular, proper hiking (or snowshoeing) gear and plenty of food and water are a must. Rental equipment is sometimes available in the park, but once you’re on the other side of the lake, you’re on your own.

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Crater Lake National Park, Oregon’s only national park, is a beautiful alpine lake inside a collapsed supervolcano. This lake seems to have a dark side. Often covered in snow, the remote park has seen a number of deaths, from drownings to plane crashes. Many of these deaths have unusual details that are difficult to explain (though some like to blame supernatural forces).

Regardless of the cause of death, there are many things visitors can do in their everyday lives to avoid becoming part of Crater Lake’s statistics. In particular, staying on trails and sharing plans with others will help keep hikers out of harm’s way and stay in touch with park officials.

As Crater Lake National Park’s full opening season nears, hikers are encouraged to enjoy this majestic park wisely.