Date: October 28, 2015
Contact: Jennifer Evans, 541-594-3002
Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and East and West Rim drives will close for the season on Sunday, November 1, at 5 p.m. 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 drives, 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 East and West Rim drives will reopen in the spring or early summer. Exact dates for road openings depend on snow depths each year.
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. 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 https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.
Winter recreational opportunities at Crater Lake National Park include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. The Steel Visitor Center is open every day of the year except December 25, and food and gifts are available in the Rim Café and Gift Shop year-round except on December 25. Visitors should fuel their vehicles before arriving at the park, as gasoline is not available in the park from early October until late May.
For more information on winter conditions, services, and programs in Crater Lake National Park, visit our website at www.nps.gov/crla.
