Crater Lake National Park covers 183,224 acres in Oregon. It became a national park on May 22, 1902, the 5th of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 632,242 recreation visits in 2025, the 36th most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Crater Lake
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Rim Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
The standard entrance pass is $30 per vehicle. This 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.
The $80 America the Beautiful pass for U.S. residents covers this fee and everyone in your car. It pays for itself after 3 visits at this price, and it is accepted at every national park.
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the 2026 fee-free days.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Crater Lake: August and September. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: July, with about 154,502 visits in a typical recent year. That is 4.9 times as many as May.
- Quietest month: January (4,808 visits), when weather or closures keep most people away.
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Crater Lake, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Itinerary: a ready-made day
- Things to do: 0 hikes and 3 other activities
- Camping, RVs and lodging: 2 campgrounds, 1 lodges
- Getting there: Nearest gas to Steel Information Center: Gas station (unnamed), 2.6 miles away. Closest airport Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (54 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Webcams
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
July, August, and September are your best bets for warm, dry weather. In May, June, and October, sunny days alternate with periods of rain and snow. Winters at Crater Lake are long and snowy. Storms from the Pacific Ocean dump an annual average of 41 feet (13.5 meters) of snow at park headquarters. When it's raining or snowing, the lake is usually hidden by clouds. Crater Lake is completely invisible about 50% of the time in the winter!
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks by road
- Redwood (California): about 4 h by car (167 miles)
- Lassen Volcanic (California): about 4 h 50 min by car (233 miles)
- Mount Rainier (Washington): about 8 h 40 min by car (391 miles)
- Olympic (Washington): about 9 h 45 min by car (439 miles)
Drive times run between the closest visitor centers of each pair, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads. Link several parks with the road trip planner.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Crater Lake National Park?
The standard entrance pass is $30 per vehicle. This 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.
What state is Crater Lake National Park in?
Oregon.
When did Crater Lake become a national park?
May 22, 1902.
How many people visit Crater Lake?
632,242 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
When is the best time to visit Crater Lake?
August and September. July is the busiest month and May the quietest while the park is fully open.
