7,700 years ago, this awesome place was formed when a violent volcanic eruption cause the collapse of a tall peak. This lake is one of the purest in the world - fed by rain and snow only, it's also the deepest in the USA. Artists, photographers, and lovers of nature here gaze at its majestic blue waters amidst the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range.
Current Park Alerts
Live from the National Park Service · Official park site →
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
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.
Entrance Fees
- $30 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $20 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $25 – Entrance - Motorcycle
- $15 – Entrance - Motorcycle
- $15 – Entrance - Per Person
- $15 – Entrance - Snowmobile
Weather
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!
Things to Do
Snowshoeing at Crater Lake
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.
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 elevation may encourage even the most fit riders to pause at many of the road's thirty overlooks and pull-outs. The payoff however is spectacular scenery, viewed at a pace that few visitors choose to take enough time for.
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, and disappear from view as you look across the lake from any point.
Getting There
Address: Crater Lake National Park Crater Lake OR 97604
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.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Lost Creek Campground
16 sites · $5/night
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…
Mazama Campground
214 sites · $38/night
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…
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Crater Lake National Park?
The entrance fee for Crater Lake National Park is $30. See Plan Your Visit above for vehicle, per-person, and annual-pass rates.
When is Crater Lake National Park open?
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.
What are the best things to do in Crater Lake National Park?
Popular things to do in Crater Lake National Park include Snowshoeing at Crater Lake, Biking at Crater Lake, Scenic Rim Drive. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park?
Yes — Crater Lake National Park has 2 campgrounds, including Lost Creek Campground, Mazama Campground. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.