📘 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
Looking at Crater Lake and Wizard Island from Discovery Point
Credit: NPS Photo
A view from Garfield Peak along the rim of Crater Lake
Credit: NPS Photo
A view across Crater Lake from the lakeshore
Credit: NPS Photot
A view of the caldera from Mt. Scott, the highest point in Crater Lake National Park
Credit: NPS Photo
Water flowing over Vidae Falls
Credit: NPS Photo
Wildflowers along the Wizard Island Summit Trail
Credit: NPS Photo
A view of Crater Lake in the winter
Credit: NPS Photo
Clouds in the Crater Lake Caldera
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Jul 17
Sunny
High: 76.5°F | Low: 49.3°F
Humidity: 37%
Wind: 11.4 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 9.8
Sunrise: 05:46 AM
Sunset: 08:45 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (15%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 49.5°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Jul 18
Sunny
High: 79.7°F | Low: 53°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 12.1 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 9.7
Sunrise: 05:47 AM
Sunset: 08:44 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (23%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 52.4°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Jul 19
Sunny
High: 81.9°F | Low: 55.2°F
Humidity: 31%
Wind: 10.1 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 8.5
Sunrise: 05:48 AM
Sunset: 08:43 PM
Moon: First Quarter (33%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 54.5°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:08PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Effective: Jul 17, 2026 3:08pm
Expires: Jul 20, 2026 3:30pm
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air
Pollution Advisory...in effect until noon PDT Monday.
Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions
will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy
levels.
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. People at
risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung
disease, older adults and pregnant people.
People can take the following precautions to protect their health:
* Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air
quality.
* Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air
quality.
* People with heart or lung problems and young children are
especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke
levels are high.
* Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in
indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.
* Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke
if possible.
For additional information...please visit the web site at
https://oregonsmoke.org
Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 1:32PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Effective: Jul 16, 2026 4:32pm
Expires: Jul 17, 2026 4:45pm
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air
Pollution Advisory...in effect until 8 PM PDT Friday.
Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions
will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy
levels.
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. People at
risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung
disease, older adults and pregnant people.
People can take the following precautions to protect their health:
- Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air
quality.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality.
- People with heart or lung problems and young children are
especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke
levels are high.
- Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in
indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.
- Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke
if possible.
For additional information...please visit the web site at
https://oregonsmoke.org
Park Alerts
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