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Crater Lake National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Oregon

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

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!

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

A view of Crater Lake and Wizard Island

Looking at Crater Lake and Wizard Island from Discovery Point

Credit: NPS Photo

a view of Phantom Ship and Chaski Bay

A view from Garfield Peak along the rim of Crater Lake

Credit: NPS Photo

a view of Crater Lake from the lakeshore

A view across Crater Lake from the lakeshore

Credit: NPS Photot

Crater Lake as seen from the summit of Mt. Scott

A view of the caldera from Mt. Scott, the highest point in Crater Lake National Park

Credit: NPS Photo

water flowing over Vidae Falls

Water flowing over Vidae Falls

Credit: NPS Photo

wildflowers on Wizard Island

Wildflowers along the Wizard Island Summit Trail

Credit: NPS Photo

A view of Crater Lake in the winter

A view of Crater Lake in the winter

Credit: NPS Photo

Clouds in the Crater Lake Caldera

Clouds in the Crater Lake Caldera

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - 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.
$30.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
This is the winter entrance fee. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
$20.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Admits one or two passengers on a private, non-commercial motorcycle. Good for 7 days. Summer rate from mid-May to October 31st.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Admits one or two passengers on a private, non-commercial motorcycle. Good for 7 days. Winter rate from 11/1 through mid-May.
$15.00
Entrance - Per Person
Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
$15.00
Entrance - Snowmobile
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.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
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.
$25.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
$75.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
$100.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
$200.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
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).
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, May 13

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 50.6°F | Low: 33.5°F

Humidity: 66%

Wind: 13.9 mph

Rain Chance: 97%

UV Index: 5.7

Sunrise: 05:48 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (19%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 34.7°F

Cloud Cover: 97%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, May 14

Sunny

Sunny

High: 58.7°F | Low: 35.6°F

Humidity: 40%

Wind: 13.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9

Sunrise: 05:46 AM

Sunset: 08:24 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (11%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 34°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, May 15

Sunny

Sunny

High: 52.4°F | Low: 32.9°F

Humidity: 60%

Wind: 13.2 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0

Sunrise: 05:45 AM

Sunset: 08:25 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (5%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 34.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are currently CLOSED Park Closure
The North Entrance Road and Rim Drive (from Discovery Point to Park Headquarters) are currently CLOSED. They will not reopen until mid to late June or July 2026.
Road to Rim Village is Temporarily CLOSED Due to Incoming Snowstorm Park Closure
The road from Park Headquarters to Rim Village is temporarily CLOSED due to an incoming storm. No view of the lake is accessible by vehicle at this time. Travel is not advised. If you must drive in the park, please use extreme caution and be on the lookout for snowplows. All Oregon Chain Laws apply.

More Info

Road to Rim Village CLOSED due to Snowstorm - Travel Not Advised in Park Park Closure
The road from Park Headquarters to Rim Village is CLOSED due to a major winter snowstorm. No view of the lake is accessible by vehicle at this time. There is currently no projected date of reopening. Please use caution if driving in the park. Travel is not advised. All Oregon Chain Laws apply.

More Info

Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for Rehabilitation Park Closure
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.

More Info

Roads May Be Icy - Please Use Caution! Caution
Even though the sun is shining, the open roads in the park may still have icy patches, especially in the mornings and evenings when the temperatures drop. Please drive with caution.
No Gasoline Available in Park Caution
The gas station at Mazama Village has closed for the season. No gasoline is available for purchase in the park. Running out of gas will require calling a tow truck to assist. Please plan accordingly!

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
Crater Lake National Park
1 Sager Building
Crater Lake, OR 97604

🏤 Mailing Address:
Crater Lake National Park
PO Box 7
Crater Lake, OR 97604

📞 Voice Phone: 5415943000

✉️ Email: craterlake@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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