Entrance Fee
$30.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Rim Visitor Center: 9:30AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
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What to See & Do
Snowshoeing at Crater Lake
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.
Scenic Rim Drive
The historic Rim Drive includes 33-miles (53-km) of lake views, panoramic vistas, forests and meadows. The contours of the road were designed to compliment the natural landscape, and disappear from view as you look across the lake from any point.
Biking at Crater Lake
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the physically demanding, 33 mile (53 km) Rim Drive. Steep hills at high elevation may encourage even the most fit riders to pause at many of the road's thirty overlooks and pull-outs. The payoff however is spectacular scenery, viewed at a pace that few visitors choose to take enough time for.
Visitor Centers
Rim Visitor Center
Views of the lake are prominent and accessible from Rim Visitor Center. It is located at the historic Kiser Studio in Rim Village. Outdoor exhibits at the near-by Sinnott Memorial Overlook are open when the ice melts from the walkway in June until mid-October. Get your passport stamp when the visitor center is open. Rim Visitor Center is usually open seven days a week in summer.
Steel Information Center
Steel Information Center has reopened after a major structural renovation to stabilize the building against seismic and excessive snow load forces. The historic integrity of this former ranger dormitory, now known as the Steel Information Center, remains while accessibility and safety have been increased for all visitors and staff. The building received get new electric wiring, IT cabling, plumbing, heating, and an updated interior building layout.
Where to Stay
Lost Creek Campground
CLOSED ALL YEAR 2026 Lost Creek Campground is managed by the National Park Service. It usually opens in early July and closes in mid-October, depending on weather and other factors. It is for tent campers only--NO RVs, buses, trailers, or vans and truck with toilets. Registration is self-serve on the day of arrival. No advance registration is available. The campground fills by mid-afternoon. The only means of knowing site availability is upon arrival at the campground. The elevation 6,000 ft. (1,829 m).
Mazama Campground
Mazama Campground is open only in summer. It typically opens in June and closes in late September. The exact opening and closing dates are determined each year by the snow level in the camp sites, safety issues, and other factors. The campground is nestled in an old-growth forest at 6,000 ft. (1,829 m) in elevation. There are 214 sites each with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant food locker. The concessioner, ExplorCraterLake, manages the campground. For more details go to reservations.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
From the west (Medford) - Take Hwy 62 to the West Entrance. Open year-round. From the south (Klamath Falls) - Take Hwy 97 north to Hwy 62 to the South Entrance. Open year-round. The North Entrance is on Hwy 138 and is accessed from Interstate 5 east at Roseburg or Hwy 97 south from Bend and Chemult. Winter travelers from Roseburg take Route 138 east to Route 230 south to Route 62 east to the park's west entrance. Travelers from Bend take Route 97 south to Route 62 to the park's south entrance.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Crater Lake National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00This is the summer entrance fee and is charged from mid-May through the end of October. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$20.00This is the winter entrance fee. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Summer rate from mid-May to October 31st.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Winter rate from 11/1 through mid-May.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
Entrance - Snowmobile
$15.00Admits one individual on a snowmobile for travel on snow covered North Entrance Road closed to regular vehicle traffic. Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board. In addition to the $25 per vehicle there is also a $15 per passenger charge.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$75.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$100.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$200.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00If you visit twice in 12 months purchasing the park's annual pass will save you money. It is valid at Crater Lake National Park as well as Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This annual pass costs $55 and admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle (or the pass owner plus up to three people when entry is by other means).
Operating Hours
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Some roads, trails, and facilities, however, are closed seasonally due to snow. North Entrance Road, and West and East Rim Drives close for the season on November 1 (or earlier if there is significant snowfall). Crews begin removing snow from these roads in April, but opening dates vary. The North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive tend to open in early June. The East Rim Drive typically opens in early July.
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- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
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Live Webcams
Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.
Crater Lake
Is Crater Lake visible today? Sometimes the lake is hidden by clouds, especially in the winter. This view looks north across the lake from the Sinnott Overlook at Rim Village (elevation 7,100 feet). On a clear day, it takes in Wizard Island, Llao Rock, and Mount Thielsen.
Steel Information Center
The Steel Information Center at Park Headquarters (elevation 6,450 feet) is open daily except December 25th. This view is useful in showing the amount of snow currently on the ground in the park. It can be 10 to 15 feet deep in the late winter and early spring.
Annie Spring Entrance Station
Curious about road conditions? This webcam can help you determine if the park's roads are icy. It looks south along Munson Valley Road from the Annie Spring Entrance Station (elevation 6,000 feet). The silver bar is a flagpole.
Photos
a view of Phantom Ship and Chaski Bay
a view of Crater Lake from the lakeshore
Crater Lake as seen from the summit of Mt. Scott
water flowing over Vidae Falls
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
2-4 days
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Planning Crater Lake
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.