News Release

Ranger-Led Snowshoe Walks to Resume at Crater Lake National Park in 2024

Date: March 12, 2024
Contact: Crater Lake Visitor Information, 541-594-3100

CRATER LAKE, OR – Crater Lake National Park is pleased to announce the resumption of our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks. Walks will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from Sunday, March 17 through Sunday, April 28 and on weekdays from Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29. Snowshoes will be provided free of charge and no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.

The walks will start at 1:00 pm, last 2 hours, and cover 1 to 2 miles of moderate-to-strenuous terrain. Routes vary, but the walks typically begin at Rim Village and explore the forests and meadows along the rim of the lake. Along the way, participants discover how winter affects Crater Lake and the park’s plants and animals. Crater Lake National Park is one of the snowiest inhabited places in America, receiving an average of 42 feet of snow per year. Snowshoeing with a ranger is a fun way to experience this winter wonderland.

Space on each tour is limited and advance reservations are required. For more information and to sign up, call the park’s visitor information line at 541-594-3100. Outdoor clubs, scout troops, and other organized groups of 10 or more people may be able to arrange for a separate tour, staff permitting. There is no cost for the walk, apart from the park’s winter entrance fee of $20 per vehicle. Participants must be at least 8 years old and come prepared with warm clothing and water-resistant footwear.

This time of year, the park’s North Entrance and Rim Drive are closed to automobiles due to deep snow. The park’s West and South Entrances on Highway 62 are plowed daily and open year-round. The road from Highway 62 to Rim Village is also open year-round, but the last three miles, from Park Headquarters to Rim Village, are sometimes closed during and after snowstorms. Spectacular views of Crater Lake can be enjoyed at Rim Village when the road is open and the weather is clear.  

Roads in the area can be icy and snow-packed. The park is considered a “Snow Zone,” meaning that all vehicles should carry chains or be equipped with traction tires. Chain use may be required if conditions warrant, and all Oregon Department of Transportation regulations apply.

For more information about winter conditions, facilities, and services, please visit the park’s website: www.nps.gov/crla.