Crater Lake National Park receives an average of 44 feet of snow every year. During the winter, trails and unplowed roads provide skiers and snowshoers with access to open slopes, dense forests, and breathtaking views, making Crater Lake ideal for both day-trippers and backcountry visitors. Since 93% of the park is managed as federal wilderness under the provisions of the Wilderness Act, opportunities for solitude abound.

Winter can also be a challenging time. Blizzards, snow avalanches, and steep, icy slopes are just some of the hazards to be prepared for during the winter months. Make safety your first consideration.

Sno-Park permits are not required to visit Crater Lake during the winter. Sno-Park permits are required for skiing in the adjacent National Forests.

Skiing or snowshoeing on any plowed road or parking area is forbidden. Please put on your skis or snowshoes only after leaving the roadway.

No overnight lodging is available in the park during the winter months, and roadside camping is not permitted. Backcountry camping is allowed.

All backcountry campers must register at a park Visitor Center for a free permit before camping. Campers must ski or snowshoe to their campsite. The following areas are closed to camping:

• Within one mile of any plowed road
• Within one mile of Boundary Springs or Sphagnum Bog
• Within 100 feet of any water source
• Within visibility of any other backcountry campers or ski trails

Entering the caldera is extremely dangerous and is strictly forbidden. Stay well back from the edge of any drop-off. Snow overhangs, called cornices, can fall away without warning.

You are responsible for your own safety. Our volunteer ski patrol operates only on weekends. Even during patrolled periods, not all trails and possible routes can be canvassed.

Pets are not allowed on any ski routes. Firearms are not permitted anywhere in the park.

No open fires are permitted during the winter season. This is to protect the exposed vegetation. During the summer, dead and downed wood may be used for campfires; during the winter, however, it is covered by deep snow.

Camping parties are restricted to no more than eight people per party. Groups larger than eight must break into smaller groups, travelling and camping separately.

You will need to bring your own skis and snowshoes, or rent the equipment prior to arriving in the park. Rental equipment is not available inside the park.

All trails in the park are ungroomed. The more popular ski trails are marked. The Rim Drive around Crater Lake is closed and unplowed during the winter, creating a popular ski route from about November to April.

Snowshoers should stay off of and out of ski tracks as a courtesy to skiers.

If you have questions about skiing or snowshoeing at Crater Lake, or if you would like to know the current weather forecast and trail conditions, call (541) 594-3100 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Pacific time.

In the park, three sources of information may be available. The Steel Information Center is located at Park Headquarters, three miles below the rim. The Rim Information Desk is located in the Cafeteria Building at Rim Village. A Ranger Station is located in the Canfield Building in the Park Headquarters complex. During the winter, hours of operation may vary.

For those desiring a winter backcountry adventure in a spectacular setting, skiing around Crater Lake on the unplowed Rim Drive is an unforgettable experience. The trip is thirty miles long and typically requires three or four days, longer on snowshoes.

Although a trip in either direction is possible, most people start at Rim Village and proceed clockwise around the lake to Park Headquarters, with a net loss of 700 feet of elevation. For groups with only one car, the Raven Trail offers a connection between Park Headquarters and Rim Village.

Winter conditions at Crater Lake can be highly variable and can change quickly. Backcountry visitors should be prepared for all possible conditions. Prior to leaving for an overnight trip, your group will be asked to complete a skills and equipment checklist and leave emergency contact information.

Avalanches and icy conditions can create hazards at several points along the Rim Drive. Please familiarize yourself with avalanche safety precautions before your trip, and check on current avalanche conditions upon your arrival at Crater Lake.

Location	Total Mileage	Distance from last	Total Climb (ft)
Rim Village	0.0	0.0	--
Discovery Point	1.1	1.1	50
Lightning Springs Trailhead	2.3	1.2	50
Watchman Trailhead	3.8	1.5	200
North Junction	6.1	2.3	200
Cleetwood Cove	10.7	4.6	450
Wineglass	13.5	2.8	350
Skell Head	14.9	1.4	400
Cloudcap	17.9	3.0	600
Kerr Notch	21.4	3.5	600
Dutton Ridge	24.0	2.6	650
Sun Notch	25.5	1.5	650
Vidae Falls	27.0	1.5	650
Park Headquarters	30.0	3.0

All mileages and elevation changes are along the Rim Drive and do not consider any avalanche detour routes.

Backcountry users may park in either the Park Headquarters area or at Rim Village. You are responsible for ensuring that your car is parked in a designated overnight parking area. If your vehicle is left in a non-designated area, it may be seriously damaged by snow removal equipment or towed at your expense. You will be required to provide vehicle description(s) and license plate number(s) when you receive your backcountry permit.

The road from Headquarters to Rim Village is plowed on a regular basis. However, due to heavy snowfall this section of road is often closed for hours or days at a time. Keep this in mind as you decide where to park your car. You may need to ski along the Raven Trail between Rim Village and Park Headquarters to return to your vehicle.

Parking at Park Headquarters:

Rev. 11/2001 klb