Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$200.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
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Crater Lake National Park
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Crater Lake at a glance
- Best time
- May–June, August–October
- Trip length
- 2–3 days
- Don't miss
- Rim Drive viewpoints
- Nearby city
- Chemult, OR
Explore this park
About Crater Lake National Park
Rim drives, boat tours, and deep snow closures vary sharply by month.
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.
Weather Information
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.
- Winter
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!
Entrance Fees
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 - Van
$75.00Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board.
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 - 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.
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.
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
$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.
Operating Hours
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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West Entrance
The park's West Entrance on Oregon Highway 62 is open year round.
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South Entrance
The park's South Entrance on Oregon Highway 62 is open year round.
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North Entrance
The park's North Entrance, off of Oregon Highway 138, is usually open from June through October. It is closed in the winter due to snow. Opening dates vary each year depending on snowfall and road conditions.
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Entrance 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).
Common questions
Planning Crater Lake
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Rogue River Wild Section. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
