When is the best time to visit Crater Lake National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in June, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Crater Lake National Park?

$30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.

What are some things to do in Crater Lake National Park?

The National Park Service lists 3 things to do in Crater Lake National Park, including Scenic Rim Drive, Biking at Crater Lake, Snowshoeing at Crater Lake. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Crater Lake National Park become a national park?

Crater Lake National Park was established as a national park on May 22, 1902.

What is the closest national park to Crater Lake?

Redwood National and State Parks, about 146 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).

Oregon · Est. 1902

Crater Lake National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026$30 / vehicle

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. — nps.gov

A view of Crater Lake and Wizard Island — Photo: NPS Photo

State: Oregon
Established: May 22, 1902
Size: 183,224 acres
2025 visits: 632,242
Busiest-park rank: #36 of 63
Entrance: $30 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Crater Lake quiet?

Crater Lake is busiest in July and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, June is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 632,242 recreation visits, the #36 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Crater Lake open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

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Quietest: JanuaryBusiest: July

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Crater Lake

Private vehicle$30

Motorcycle$25

Per person (on foot / bike)$15

Crater Lake annual pass$55

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Crater Lake National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Crater Lake

The National Park Service lists 3 things to do in Crater Lake National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Scenic Rim Drive1-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
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…
Pets OK
Biking at Crater LakeSummer, Fall
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…
Pets OK
Snowshoeing at Crater LakeWinter, Spring
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Crater Lake

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!

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Crater Lake

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.

Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake, OR, 97604 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Crater Lake

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: Portland, Oregon (181 mi) · Seattle (323 mi)

Road trip

Crater Lake, Redwood & Lassen Volcanic

3 parks, about 295 miles between them (~7 h of driving, estimated).

Crater Lake is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

a view of Phantom Ship and Chaski Bay — Photo: NPS Photo

a view of Crater Lake from the lakeshore — Photo: NPS Photot

FAQ

Crater Lake, quickly

When is the best time to visit Crater Lake National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in June, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Crater Lake National Park?: $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
Do you need a reservation for Crater Lake National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Crater Lake National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Crater Lake National Park?: The National Park Service lists 3 things to do in Crater Lake National Park, including Scenic Rim Drive, Biking at Crater Lake, Snowshoeing at Crater Lake. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Crater Lake National Park become a national park?: Crater Lake National Park was established as a national park on May 22, 1902.
What is the closest national park to Crater Lake?: Redwood National and State Parks, about 146 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Crater Lake National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Crater Lake National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/crla.

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Crater Lake National Park