Crater Lake National Park, in southern Oregon, is famous for its deep blue lake, formed in the caldera of an ancient volcano, and the forests and meadows around the lake support a wide range of wildlife. Larger mammals such as black bears, elk and mule deer are often seen foraging in the woods, and marmots, snowshoe hares and squirrels are common.
Birdwatchers can look for bald eagles, peregrine falcons and Clark’s nutcrackers. The cold, clear lake holds kokanee salmon and rainbow trout, and sagebrush lizards and garter snakes are common in the warmer, rocky areas. Keep reading to see featured photos of Crater Lake’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Crater Lake National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Crater Lake Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Crater Lake National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Crater Lake National Park Species List
The wildlife at Crater Lake National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Crater Lake National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Crater Lake.
ElkMammal · Abundant
Golden-mantled Ground SquirrelMammal · Abundant
Mule DeerMammal · Abundant
American Black BearMammal · Common
Common PorcupineMammal · Common
CoyoteMammal · Common
Red FoxMammal · Common
American RobinBird · Common
Steller’s JayBird · Common
American BadgerMammal · Uncommon
BobcatMammal · Uncommon
Mountain LionMammal · UncommonCrater Lake National Park Mammals
68 species
- Allen’s Chipmunk(Tamias senex)
- American Badger Photo post(Taxidea taxus)
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Black Bear Photo post(Ursus americanus)
- American Marten(Martes americana)
- American Pika(Ochotona princeps)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Brazilian Free-tailed Bat(Tadarida brasiliensis)
- Broad-footed Mole(Scapanus latimanus)
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat(Neotoma cinerea)
- California Myotis(Myotis californicus)
- Columbian White-tailed Deer Photo post(Odocoileus virginianus)
- Common Gray Fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Common Porcupine Photo post(Erethizon dorsatum)
- Common Raccoon(Procyon lotor)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Creeping Vole(Microtus oregoni)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Douglas’ Squirrel(Tamiasciurus douglasii)
- Dusky-footed Woodrat(Neotoma fuscipes)
- Elk Photo post(Cervus elaphus)
- Ermine(Mustela erminea)
- Fisher(Martes pennanti)
- Fog Shrew(Sorex sonomae)
- Fringed Myotis(Myotis thysanodes)
- Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Photo post(Callospermophilus lateralis)
- Gray Wolf(Canis lupus)
- Heather Vole(Phenacomys intermedius)
- Hoary Bat(Lasiurus cinereus)
- House Mouse(Mus musculus)
- Least Chipmunk(Tamias minimus)
- Little Brown Bat(Myotis lucifugus)
- Long-eared Myotis(Myotis evotis)
- Long-legged Myotis(Myotis volans)
- Long-tailed Vole(Microtus longicaudus)
- Long-tailed Weasel(Mustela frenata)
- Mink(Neovison vison)
- Montane Vole(Microtus montanus)
- Mountain Beaver(Aplodontia rufa)
- Mountain Lion Photo post(Puma concolor)
- Mule Deer Photo post(Odocoileus hemionus)
- Muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus)
- Northern Flying Squirrel(Glaucomys sabrinus)
- Pacific Jumping Mouse(Zapus trinotatus)
- Pacific Shrew(Sorex pacificus)
- Pallid Bat(Antrozous pallidus)
- Red Fox Photo post(Vulpes vulpes)
- Shrew-mole(Neurotrichus gibbsii)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Siskiyou Chipmunk(Tamias siskiyou)
- Snowshoe Hare(Lepus americanus)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Townsend’s Chipmunk(Tamias townsendii)
- Townsend’s Vole(Microtus townsendii)
- Trowbridge’s Shrew(Sorex trowbridgii)
- Vagrant Shrew(Sorex vagrans)
- Water Shrew(Sorex palustris)
- Water Vole(Microtus richardsoni)
- Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus)
- Western Jumping Mouse(Zapus princeps)
- Western Pocket Gopher(Thomomys mazama)
- Western Red-backed Vole(Myodes californicus)
- Western Spotted Skunk(Spilogale gracilis)
- White-tailed Jackrabbit(Lepus townsendii)
- Yellow-bellied Marmot(Marmota flaviventris)
- Yellow-pine Chipmunk(Tamias amoenus)
- Yuma Myotis(Myotis yumanensis)
No mammals match.
Crater Lake National Park Birds
133 species
- Allen’s Hummingbird(Selasphorus sasin)
- American Dipper(Cinclus mexicanus)
- American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius sparverius)
- American Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus anatum)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- Audubon’s Warbler(Setophaga auduboni auduboni)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Black-backed Woodpecker(Picoides arcticus)
- Black-billed Magpie(Pica pica)
- Black-capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus)
- Black-crowned Night-heron(Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Black-headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus)
- Black-throated Gray Warbler(Setophaga nigrescens)
- Blue Grouse(Dendragapus obscurus)
- Brewer’s Sparrow(Spizella breweri)
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird(Selasphorus platycercus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown Pelican(Pelecanus occidentalis)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Burrowing Owl(Athene cunicularia)
- Bushtit(Psaltriparus minimus)
- California Gull(Larus californicus)
- Calliope Hummingbird(Selasphorus calliope)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Cassin’s Finch(Haemorhous cassinii)
- Cassin’s Vireo(Vireo cassinii)
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee(Poecile rufescens)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Clark’s Nutcracker(Nucifraga columbiana)
- Cliff Swallow(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
- Common Loon Photo post(Gavia immer)
- Common Merganser(Mergus merganser)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Poorwill(Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Snipe(Gallinago delicata)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis)
- Double-crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Dusky Flycatcher(Empidonax oberholseri)
- Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis)
- Evening Grosbeak(Hesperiphona vespertina)
- Forster’s Tern(Sterna forsteri)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Golden-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia atricapilla)
- Gray Flycatcher(Empidonax wrightii)
- Gray Jay(Perisoreus canadensis)
- Great Egret(Ardea alba)
- Great Gray Owl(Strix nebulosa)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Greater White-fronted Goose(Anser albifrons)
- Green-tailed Towhee(Pipilo chlorurus)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Hammond’s Flycatcher(Empidonax hammondii)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Hermit Warbler(Setophaga occidentalis)
- Hooded Merganser(Lophodytes cucullatus)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris merrilli)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Lazuli Bunting(Passerina amoena)
- Lesser Goldfinch(Spinus psaltria)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- MacGillivray’s Warbler(Geothlypis tolmiei)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides)
- Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis)
- Northern Pygmy-owl(Glaucidium gnoma)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Spotted Owl(Strix occidentalis)
- Northern Three-toed Woodpecker(Picoides dorsalis fasciatus)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata)
- Oregon Junco(Junco hyemalis oreganus and Junco hyemalis thurberi)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Pacific Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor hesperis)
- Pacific Wren(Troglodytes pacificus)
- Pacific-slope Flycatcher(Empidonax difficilis)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus)
- Prairie Falcon(Falco mexicanus)
- Purple Finch(Haemorhous purpureus)
- Pygmy Nuthatch(Sitta pygmaea)
- Red Crossbill(Loxia curvirostra)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-breasted Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus ruber)
- Red-shafted Flicker(Colaptes auratus collaris)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula)
- Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis)
- Ruffed Grouse(Bonasa umbellus)
- Rufous Hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Sooty Fox Sparow(Passerella unalaschcensis sinuosa)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius)
- Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus)
- Steller’s Jay Photo post(Cyanocitta stelleri)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus)
- Three-toed Woodpecker(Picoides dorsalis)
- Townsend’s Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi)
- Townsend’s Warbler(Setophaga townsendi)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Varied Thrush(Ixoreus naevius)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana)
- Western Screech-owl(Megascops kennicottii)
- Western Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria cinnamomea)
- Western Tanager(Piranga ludoviciana)
- Western Wood-pewee(Contopus sordidulus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
- White-headed Woodpecker(Picoides albolarvatus)
- Williamson’s Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Cardellina pusilla)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata)
No birds match.
Crater Lake National Park Reptiles
3 species
- Garter Snake(Thamnophis)
- Sagebrush Lizard(Sceloporus graciosus)
- Short-horned Lizard(Phrynosoma douglasii)
No reptiles match.
Crater Lake National Park Amphibians
8 species
- Cascades Frog(Rana cascadae)
- Crater Lake Newt(Taricha granulosa mazamae)
- Ensatina(Ensatina eschscholtzii)
- Long-toed Salamander(Ambystoma macrodactylum)
- Pacific Treefrog(Pseudacris regilla)
- Rough-skinned Newt(Taricha granulosa)
- Tailed Frog(Ascaphus truei)
- Western Toad(Anaxyrus boreas)
No amphibians match.
Crater Lake National Park Fish
5 species
- Brook Trout(Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Brown Trout(Salmo trutta)
- Bull Trout(Salvelinus confluentus)
- Kokanee Salmon(Oncorhynchus nerka)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Crater Lake National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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