Explore This Park

Things To Know Before You Come

View of Crater Lake from Skell Head.

Winter rules Crater Lake National Park. It can start closing seasonal roads in mid-October and last through June. An average year sees 44 feet of snow dropped on the park. With that in mind, things can change dramatically from the quiet of winter to hustle and bustle of summer.

Listed below you will find information on the typical openings and closings of park roads, trails, and facilities. For more details about operating hours, please see Operating Hours & Seasons. Current conditions at the park, including webcams, road and facility status can be found on the Current Conditions page.

 

Roads

Highway 62 and the road to Rim Village (Munson Valley Road) are plowed and open all year. However, snowy and icy road conditions can occur anytime, resulting in temporary road closures. Please review Current Conditions before your visit.

Plowing of the Rim Drives, North Entrance Road and the Pinnacles Road typically starts in mid to late April. West Rim Drive and North Entrance Road can open to vehicles as early as June. East Rim Drive and the Pinnacles Road do not normally open to vehicles until July.

 

Trails

With winter delivering almost 44 feet of snow, hiking trails normally melt open starting in mid-June. Trails at the higher elevations, like Mt. Scott, can be snowbound until mid-July.

Cross-country ski and snowshoeing opportunities can begin as early as mid-October when the winter's first snowstorms can drop a foot or more of snow. Winter activity opportunities typically can last into June.

 

Facilities and Services

Steel Visitor Center is located at Park Headquarters and open daily (except December 25) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from late April to early November. Winter hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from early November to early April.

US Post Office is located in the Steel Center and is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 12:00 and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, except holidays, late April to early November. Post Office hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, except holidays, early November to early April.

Rim Village Cafe and Gifts is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (except Thanksgiving and December 25). Hours are extended during the summer months.

Rim Visitor Center is open daily late May through late September from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Crater Lake Lodge is open mid-May through mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Mazama Village Motor Inn is open from late May through early October. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Annie Creek Restaurant is open daily in the summer, late May through early October.

Annie Creek Gift Store is open daily in the summer, late May through early October.

Mazama Village Camper Store is open daily in the summer, late May through early October.

Mazama Campground is open late May through early October, weather permitting. Reservations can be made through the Lodge's website or toll-free phone number.

Lost Creek Campground is CLOSED for the 2013 season.

Fuel (unleaded gasoline only) is available at the Mazama Camper Store daily from late May to mid October, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Hours are extended during the summer. No gasoline is available in the park during the winter.