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Contact: Marsha McCabe
CRATER LAKE, OR – Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closed for the season on November 1st. All visitors to Crater Lake National Park must use Highway 62 to access the park from the south or west during these closures. The North Entrance Road and Rim Drive, with elevations from 5,850 to 7,960 feet above sea level, receive an average of more than 40 feet of snow each year and are not plowed from fall to late spring because of deep drifts, avalanche risk, and other dangerous conditions. The North Entrance Road and Rim Drive will reopen in the late spring or early summer of 2022. Exact dates for road openings depend on snow depths each year. Until snow begins to accumulate, hiking and biking on the closed Rim Drive is an enjoyable option for visitors.
On November 1st, the park began charging its winter entrance fee. The fee is $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. It is good for 7 days and will be collected at the Annie Creek Entrance Station. The park offers all NPS annual, and lifetime passes onsite, including an annual pass specifically for Crater Lake National Park. It is also possible to purchase mobile passes online prior to your visit by going to https://www.recreation.gov/.
Crater Lake National Park is open 365 days a year. Highway 62 and Munson Valley Road, which leads to Rim Village and lake viewing access, are plowed throughout the winter. During heavy snowstorms, however, the road from park headquarters to Rim Village may be closed to allow plow operators to focus their efforts on the remaining roads. When visiting the park in fall, winter, and spring, visitors should be prepared for winter road conditions by carrying chains and knowing how to use them. Visitors can check current visibility and road conditions on the park’s webcams at http://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. Visitors should fuel their vehicles before arriving at the park, as gasoline is not available from mid-October until late May.
A heated restroom with running water is located in Rim Village and is open 24/7. Additionally, there are open vault toilets located at Ponderosa Picnic Area near the park’s south entrance, at Old West pullout located near the west entrance which will remain open until the snow becomes too deep to access them.
Visitors need to be self-sufficient and come prepared for winter conditions. Snow tires or chains are required. Make sure your car is equipped with extra supplies that might be needed for winter conditions – food, water, blankets, jackets, etc. Food is available in the park at the Rim Café from Thursday – Monday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, provided the road to Rim Village is open. The Rim Gift Shop is open Thursday – Monday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The Steel Information Center is currently closed for a major rehabilitation project.
Winter recreational opportunities at Crater Lake National Park include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. Please use extreme caution when near the Crater Lake Rim. Snow cornices, created by blowing wind, can form along the edges and are extremely unstable. Travel below the rim is prohibited at all times due to extremely hazardous conditions. Please stay well back from the edge!
For more information on winter conditions and services in Crater Lake National Park, visit our website at www.nps.gov/crla. Be safe and have an enjoyable visit!
-NPS-
Last updated: November 12, 2021