Rising some 763 feet above the water, Wizard Island is an excellent example of the smallest type of volcanic cone. The summit of this perfect little cone is a crater about 90 feet deep and 300 feet in diameter. The cone and its massive flow of black lava in huge blocks form an island about three-fourths of a mile long by one-half mile wide. The oldest trees on the island date from about 800 years ago, indicating the last volcanic activity of Mount Mazama occurred about 1,000 years in the past.

Watchman Overlook offers an unmatched view of Wizard Island, a cinder cone that erupted out of Crater Lake approximately 7,300 years ago.

Credits and Sources:

"Climb a Sleeping Volcano, Plus 10 Other Ways to Enjoy Your Park," National Park Service, http://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/upload/Crater-Lake-Reflections-Summer-Fall-2014-Low-Res-3.pdf (accessed June 29, 2015).

"Crater Lake National Park: Administrative History," National Park Service, http://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/online-library/administrative-history/adminhistory.htm#A._DISCOVERY_OF_CRATER_LAKE_BY_JOHN_W._HILLMAN:_1853 (accessed June 29, 2015).