Operating Hours & Seasons

Park Hours of Operation

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. You can arrive at any time. No reservations are needed to enter the park. However, many of the park's roads, trails, and facilities, are closed seasonally due to snow. Visit the Current Conditions page to find out what's open in the park today.

 

Seasons

Winter (November throughApril) and summer (July through mid-September) are two very distinct seasons at Crater Lake National Park, when hours and operations are well defined. But May, June, and October are months when openings and closings are not as predictable. 

Even though the park is open year round, the operating hours for many of the facilities and services change depending on the season. With late or even early snowfalls, unpredictable snow melt, and the timing of snow removal, it is difficult to determine from year to year when certain facilities or services may be available. This is also true for concession managed facilities including the campground and boat tours. 

The Current Conditions page is the best resource to find information about current operations, facilities, roads, visitor centers, and more. 

 
 

Seasonal Road Closures

Crater Lake is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the USA. Each winter, deep snow forces us to close the park's Rim Drive and North Entrance Road to automobiles. Rim Drive becomes a route for skiing and snowshoeing. The North Entrance Road becomes a snowmobile trail. These roads close for the season with the first big snowstorm, or on November 1, whichever comes first. To show the variabilty in seasons the first table reviews the closing dates since 2009.

Closing Dates in Recent Years
Year North Entrance &
West Rim Drive
East Rim Drive
2021 October 22 October 21
2020 November 1 November 1
2019 November 1 October 17
2018 October 29 October 29
2017 November 1 October 13
2016 October 14 October 14
2015 November 1 November 1
2014 October 28 October 27
2013 October 28 October 1
2012 October 23 October 23
2011 November 1 November 1
2010 October 24 October 23
2009 October 27 October 13
 

Seasonal Re-Opening of Park Roads

There are no set dates for reopening the closed roads. Typically, plowing begins on West Rim Drive in mid-April and all roads are ready to open by mid-July. However, opening dates depend on winter snow totals, late snow fall and other weather related events, and factors such as road debris, equipment and road crews. Read about the process of "spring opening" here. The following table represents recent opening dates and snow depth at the time of opening.

Opening Dates in Recent Years
Year North Entrance &
West Rim Drive
East Rim Drive Winter
Snow Total
2023 June 30 52 feet
2022 June 9 July 15 37 feet
2021 May 28 June 25 25 feet
2020 June 9 July 11 30 feet
2019 June 15 July 11 36 feet
2018 May 25 June 16 29 feet
2017 June 22 July 21 48 feet
2016 May 27 July 13 38 feet
2015 May 14 June 11 16 feet
2014 May 23 July 1 21 feet
2013 May 15 July 2 30 feet
2012 June 11 July 17 33 feet
2011 June 24 July 22 56 feet
2010 June 7 July 9 34 feet
2009 June 1 June 30 39 feet
2008 June 20 July 11 48 feet
2007 May 24 June 29 36 feet
2006 June 14 July 14 48 feet
2005 June 10 June 29 30 feet
2004 June 17 July 3 46 feet

















 
Map Showing Winter Road Closures
 
Highway Map Showing Winter Road Closures

Last updated: July 9, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Crater Lake National Park
PO Box 7

Crater Lake, OR 97604

Phone:

541 594-3000

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