About Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
July, August, and September are your best bets for warm, dry weather. In May, June, and October, sunny days alternate with periods of rain and snow. Winters at Crater Lake are long and snowy. Storms from the Pacific Ocean dump an annual average of 41 feet (13.5 meters) of snow…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Oregon. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
This is the summer entrance fee and is charged from mid-May through the end of October. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
This is the winter entrance fee. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Summer rate from mid-May to October 31st.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Winter rate from 11/1 through mid-May.
Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
Admits one individual on a snowmobile for travel on snow covered North Entrance Road closed to regular vehicle traffic. Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board. In addition to the $25 per vehicle there is also a $15 per passenger charge.
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Operating Hours
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Some roads, trails, and facilities, however, are closed seasonally due to snow. North Entrance Road, and West and East Rim Drives close for the season on November 1 (or earlier if there is significant snowfall). Crews begin removing snow from these roads in April, but opening dates vary. The North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive tend to open in early June. The East Rim Drive typically opens in early July.
Activities
Current Alerts
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for construction. This critical project will fully rehabilitate the trail and marina to ensure safe access to the lake, provide a much-improved visitor experience, and protect the environment.
Getting There
From the west (Medford) - Take Hwy 62 to the West Entrance. Open year-round. From the south (Klamath Falls) - Take Hwy 97 north to Hwy 62 to the South Entrance. Open year-round. The North Entrance is on Hwy 138 and is accessed from Interstate 5 east at Roseburg or Hwy 97 south from Bend and Chemult. Winter travelers from Roseburg take Route 138 east to Route 230 south to Route 62 east to the park's west entrance. Travelers from Bend take Route 97 south to Route 62 to the park's south entrance.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
If you visit twice in 12 months purchasing the park's annual pass will save you money. It is valid at Crater Lake National Park as well as Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This annual pass costs $55 and admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle (or the pass owner plus up to three people when entry is by other means).
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Snowshoeing at Crater Lake
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.
Scenic Rim Drive
The historic Rim Drive includes 33-miles (53-km) of lake views, panoramic vistas, forests and meadows. The contours of the road…
Biking at Crater Lake
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the physically…
Visitor Centers
Rim Visitor Center
Views of the lake are prominent and accessible from Rim Visitor Center. It is located at the historic Kiser Studio in Rim Village. Outdoor exhibits…
Steel Information Center
Steel Information Center has reopened after a major structural renovation to stabilize the building against seismic and excessive snow load forces. The historic integrity of…
Campgrounds
Lost Creek Campground
CLOSED ALL YEAR 2026 Lost Creek Campground is managed by the National Park Service. It usually opens in early July and closes in mid-October, depending on…
Mazama Campground
Mazama Campground is open only in summer. It typically opens in June and closes in late September. The exact opening and closing dates are determined…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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