Lake · Whakapapa Village

Lower Tama Lake

A deep blue explosion crater lake on the saddle between Ruapehu and Ngāuruhoe.

The Tama Lakes fill old explosion craters along the Tama Saddle. From the lower viewpoint you look down into a dark blue lake set in a bowl of red and grey scoria, with Ngāuruhoe’s cone rising behind. It is the natural turnaround for an easier day on the Tama Lakes Track.

❄ Snow lies on the saddle from roughly June to September; the lake itself rarely freezes.