Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park: Weather & Events
Crater Lake National Park, located in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, attracts tourists with its deep blue waters and volcanic landscapes. During my vanlife years, I found myself at this Oregonian national park at the end of late spring, just a bit too early for the boat ride with brisk daytime weather. I also tried once in the summer, but the wildfires totally covered the scenery with ashy smoke.
Weather at Crater Lake National Park can fluctuate from hot summers to snowy winters. So, here’s an overview of the visitor seasons at Crater Lake:
- Peak Season: July to September
- Shoulder Seasons: May to June and October
- Off-Peak Season: November to April
In the following sections, I’ll delve into the characteristics of these seasons, any annual events, and a monthly climate breakdown. Whether you’re planning to stay in Crater Lake for a day or longer, taking a boat tour or hiking the rim trail, these are the best times to visit Crater Lake National Park.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park
Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit Crater Lake National Park generally falls between July and September. This peak season is the only time of year all trails are accessible and the boat to Wizard Island operates. The lake’s color is also at its best, with the bright sun highlighting the deep blue hues.
Best Time for Good Weather
For the best weather, plan your visit in the early summer months. The daytime temperatures typically hover around a comfortable 60 to 76°F (15 to 24°C) and you won’t run as much risk of wildfires as later in the season.
Best Time for Smaller Crowds
The off-peak season between November and April is your best bet for little crowds. It is chilly and snowy and many roads are closed which deters many from visiting, leaving the park significantly quieter. You could find yourself amongst only a handful of visitors, which is amazing, especially if you’re into winter activities.
Best Time for Lower Prices
During these colder months, accommodation prices have dipped by as much as 30% compared to the peak summer season. But many places may be closed entirely for the season.
Worst Time to Visit
Winter can be a challenging time to visit Crater Lake National Park. The park receives an average of 44 feet of snow annually, leading to road closures and limited trail access. While its snow-capped landscape is beautiful, the extreme cold and blizzards make winter a tough season for visitors.
Crater Lake also suffers from wildfire season, which typically happens from late July to early September. The vistas are often obscured by a dense haze from wildfires, dampening the views and posing health risks because of poor air quality. This is what happened to us the first time we visited, making it not really worth the trip.
Park Closures
Crater Lake National Park is technically open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, many of the park’s roads and trails, such as the West and East Rim Drive, close in the winter.
These roads usually remain open until November 1st unless significant snowfall occurs earlier, and open back up in late May to early June. This means only the South Entrance and West Entrances are accessible in the winter.
Seasons at Crater Lake National Park
Spring (March to May)
Spring at Crater Lake National Park, predominantly from May to June, is a transitional season marked by the gradual retreat of winter snow and the blooming of wildflowers. Daytime temperatures warm up to 50 to 60°F (10 to 15°C). But nighttime temperatures may still dip below freezing. Rainfall is common, so pack waterproof gear.
As the snow melts, hiking trails begin to open up, but particularly those at higher elevations, might remain closed until later in the season.
Wildlife viewing is a highlight of spring, with many animals emerging from hibernation. You may see black bears, mule deer, and a host of bird species.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the most popular time to visit Crater Lake National Park. The weather is warm and sunny from June through August at 65 to 80°F (18 to 26°C), though evenings can still be chilly. This is the perfect time for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, and boat tours on the lake.
You can hike all the trails, like the challenging Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only access to swim in the lake’s crystal clear waters. The entire Rim Road is open as well.
Travel Tip! While the boat tours operate in full swing, they are extremely popular, and tickets often sell out quickly.
Summer also marks the peak tourist season, resulting in larger crowds and higher prices.
Unfortunately, wildfire season typically begins in late July and lasts until September. Smoke from wildfires can create a whiteout where you won’t be able to see anything.
Fall (September to November)
Fall in Crater Lake National Park is marked by the arrival of cooler temperatures and shifting colors in the park’s flora. Daytime temperatures gradually decrease to 40 to 65°F (4 to 18°C), with nights increasingly chilly. As the season progresses, the first snowfalls will start.
During early fall, the park remains relatively accessible, with most hiking trails and facilities still open to visitors. The receding crowds from the summer months make for a more peaceful park experience.
As November approaches, accessibility becomes more challenging, with many hiking trails and facilities starting to close for the winter season.
Winter (December to February)
Winter at Crater Lake National Park is harsh. The park is blanketed in heavy snow from December through February, with accumulations often exceeding 10 feet. Daytime temperatures can range from 20 to 35°F (-6 to 1°C) but drop below zero at night. The park’s extreme winter conditions lead to the closure of most roads and trails.
Despite the accessibility challenges, you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the park’s designated trails.
Note that only the park’s southern entrances remain open in winter. All services, including the visitor center and park headquarters, are moved to the southern entrance.
Crater Lake Weather by Month
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the average high and low temperature, monthly precipitation and snowfall at Crater Lake National Park:
| Month | Average High Temperature | Average Low Temperature | Average Rainfall | Average Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F | 18°F | 10 inches | 100 inches |
| February | 35°F | 18°F | 7.5 inches | 81 inches |
| March | 37°F | 19°F | 7.9 inches | 83 inches |
| April | 42°F | 23°F | 6.1 inches | 45 inches |
| May | 50°F | 29°F | 3.7 inches | 19 inches |
| June | 58°F | 34°F | 2.4 inches | 4 inches |
| July | 69°F | 41°F | 0.8 inches | 0.2 inches |
| August | 69°F | 41°F | 0.8 inches | 0.1 inches |
| September | 63°F | 37°F | 2 inches | 3 inches |
| October | 52°F | 31°F | 4.7 inches | 21 inches |
| November | 40°F | 24°F | 9.6 inches | 61 inches |
| December | 34°F | 19°F | 11.2 inches | 93 inches |
Best Time of Day to Visit
Unlike most parts, I would argue that the middle of the day is the best time of day for Crater Lake National Park. The sun is at its highest, illuminating the lake’s brilliant blue color to its fullest. This time frame also coincides with the daily boat tour schedule.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect by time of day:
- Early morning (sunrise to 10 AM): The park is calm and quiet, with peaceful lake views. The cooler temperature is perfect for early bird hikers.
- Mid-morning to afternoon (10 AM to 4 PM): The lake is beautiful under the high sun and the boat tours operate during this time. You can also jump into the freezing water and still warm yourself up.
- Late afternoon to evening (4 PM to sunset): As the crowd starts to thin, it’s a wonderful time for leisurely walks or the changing colors of the lake at sunset.
Special Events or Festivals
Here are some special events and festivals that happen in or near Crater Lake National Park:
- Eclipse Fest 23: A multi-day immersive festival in Klamath County, Oregon, not far from Crater Lake National Park. This October festival features camping, food and drink, vendors and artisans, and artists’ performances.
- Britt Festivals and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival: While not directly in Crater Lake National Park, these music and entertainment venues are located 40 minutes south of the park.
- Klamath Fall Fairs, Festivals, and Events: These events celebrate the fall scene in Klamath, with local culture, food, and more.
- Klamath Falls Migratory Bird Festival: Held on the second Saturday in May, this event includes bird walks, mist netting demonstrations, a Link River Historic Walk, and more.
Don’t close that tab just yet…Where to Next in Oregon?
I’ve vanlifed up, through, and about all of West Oregon three times now. If you’re looking for more information on Oregon, check out these other destination itineraries.
- Perfect One Day In Crater Lake Itinerary For First-Timers
- One Day in Portland Itinerary: Best of the City in 24 Hours
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