Visiting in Winter

Even on a partly sunny day with clouds shadowing the sparkle of fresh snow, it is an idyllic winter scene at Crater Lake. To reach this viewpoint requires extra effort via snowshoeing or skiing.

NPS Photo

 

What to Know

• Road Status
• Alerts & Current Conditions
• Weather
• Winter Recreation Safety
• Winter Activities
• Visitor Centers
• Lodging & Camping Outside the Park
• Visiting With a Pet

Winter Trip Planning

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, many roads, services, and programs are closed during the extended winter season (November to April). In the WHAT TO KNOW box are links to help with winter trip planning. 

• The webcams offer a snapshop of current conditions. During winter, the lake is often hidden by clouds.
• The weather page has current temperatures and forecast. 
• Fill your gas tank before reaching the park boundary. Running out of gas results in frustration and is very expensive to rectify if a tow company has to deliver it. Gas and EV stations are listed on the Basic Information page. 
• Click for Winter Driving Safety alerts, chain requirements and more.  
• The winter edition of Reflections, the park newspaper, has a winter recreation map, safety tips, and much more. 

 

This is one occasion when the gate at park headquarters was swung closed. Vehicles and pedestrians are never permitted along the 3-miles of road to Rim Village until the road is safely cleared for two-way traffic.

NPS/photo 2022 Mimi Gorman

Roads and Travel

Click for road status. The North Entrance Road, Rim Drive, and Pinnacles Road close to vehicles each year on November 1, or earlier if there is significant snowfall.

Highway 62 and the road to park headquarters are plowed daily and are open year-round. The 3-mile road from park headquarters to Rim Village is kept open as much as possible but sometimes is closed for days or weeks during periods of heavy snow accumulation. Check the road status to find out if the road to Rim Village is open.

Even when plowed, park roads can be snow-packed and icy. Vehicles may be required to use chains to enter the park (except for 4-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles that are equipped with winter tires).

 

Two people break through fresh snow on a hike through snow laden conifers.

NPS photo/ 2019 Mimi Gorman

Winter Activities

Most days in November through May, there are abundant opportunities for winter recreation and photo opportunities, dining and shopping at the Rim Village Cafe and Gifts, or simply watching the snow fall.

Winter Backcountry Camping
Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing
Snowshoeing
Ranger-Guided Snowshoe Walks
Snowboarding
Sledding
Downhill Skiing
Snowmobiling