National Park
Crater Lake National Park
- Pacific Northwest
- 9 hikes
- 21 places to see
- 2 current alerts
Current alerts
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Closure
Rim Drive and North Entrance Road are CLOSED for the Season.
Winter road closures are in effect. The park's North Entrance Road, most of the Rim Drive, Cloudcap, and Pinnacles Road are closed to automobiles. The park's West and South Entrances are open, as is Hwy 62 through the park. These roads will not reopen until mid-June or early July depending on the snowpack.
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Closure
Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for Rehabilitation
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.
From the National Park Service, as of October 29, 2026, 5:14 pm. Check nps.gov before you go.
About Crater Lake
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Pacific Northwest
- State
- Oregon
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- $30, private vehicle
- Hikes on this page
- 9
- Places to see
- 21
- Articles
- 10
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Crater Lake.
Entrance fees
- $30 Private Vehicle 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.
- $20 Private Vehicle
- $25 Motorcycle
- $15 Motorcycle
- $15 Per Person
Passes
- $55 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
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.
Weather and when to go
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 at park headquarters. When it's raining or snowing, the lake is usually hidden by clouds. Crater Lake is completely invisible about 50% of the time in the winter!
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.
- Gateway towns
- Klamath Falls, OR · Prospect, OR
- Nearest airports
- Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) · Eugene Airport (EUG)
Contact the park
- Address
- 1 Sager Building, Crater Lake, OR 97604
- Phone
- (541) 594-3000
- craterlake@nps.gov
- Official site
- nps.gov/crla
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Crater Lake
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Where to stay for Crater Lake
The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.
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Klamath Falls, OR Closest
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Prospect, OR
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Guided tours and trips
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Things to do in Crater Lake
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Snowshoeing at Crater Lake
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.
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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 were designed to compliment the natural landscape,…
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Biking at Crater Lake
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the physically demanding, 33 mile (53 km) Rim Drive. Steep hills at high ele…
Places to see
Viewpoints
Natural features
Visitor centers & lodging
Campgrounds in Crater Lake
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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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 weat…
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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 each year…
Reading about Crater Lake
What to pack for Crater Lake
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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