What to Expect When Visiting Crater Lake National Park

See the Beauty of Crater Lake National Park

A visit to Crater Lake is a visit to the deepest and one of the clearest lake in all of the United States!

Shelby and I visited Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) May 11, 2016. This years winter brought 38 feet of snow and we can both attest that much of it was still present when we were there! You should consider any or all of these 12 Articles of Cold Weather Clothing to keep you warm during your visit. 

To think the yearly average is 44 feet of snow. Driving in the park there were large wooden stakes towering over 50 feet tall poking out of the walls of snow along our route. These towering stakes make it possible for snow plowers to clear the roads. Smart, right?

Despite the cold weather, we wanted to save money while on the road so we chose to stay overnight at Lost Creek Campground rather than a motel. The weather down here is much warmer as it sits in a lower elevation than the lake.

Best part – no snow at our campground! The scenery here was beautiful with its tall trees and running river next to some of the campsites. 

Expectations During Winter Months

Snowfall starts at Crater Lake National Park between October and November. This results in road closures that can last all the way through late July.

Fortunately the park is open 24 hours a day and highway 62 is open year round. This means you can still drive up to the visitor center and Rim Village throughout most of winter. You can expect many of the roads to be closed during winter months. This includes both west and east rim drives.

According to the NPS website west rim and the northern entrance are cleared of snow between mid May and late June while the east is cleared mid June to late July.

Swing by the Visitor Center!

Whether or not you’re new to a park or a seasoned explorer we recommend stopping by the visitor center. Rangers always have new information to share! Info on the park, weather, affected areas for views/hiking, news of animal or natural sightings and more.

There are 2 visitor centers in CLNP. One found at Park Headquarters and the other in Rim Village.

Park Headquarters are open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from mid April to early November, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the rest of the year.

Rim Visitor Center is open daily from late May to late September, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Despite these closures we were able to make the drive to both Park Headquarters and Rim Village.

Here we still had a spectacular view of Crater Lake. Endless, clear blue skies with an even deeper blue Crater Lake. We’ve never seen water so still and blue. The reflections of the surrounding terrain on the water was sharper than than that on a freshly cleaned mirror!

Seriously.

History of Crater Lake

Crater Lake is one of the most pristine bodies of water in the entire world.

Wait, WHAT?! How? Well let’s dive in a bit, but not literally!

There is only one part of the lake where it is legal and safe to swim and that is at the end of the Cleetwood Cove Trail at the lake’s shore.

Nearly 7,700 years ago, after the collapse of a massive volcano during a violent eruption, Crater Lake was formed. This “caldera” descends an incredible 1,943 feet making it the deepest lake in all of the United States. Rain and snow has melted over the course of 700-1500 years creating today’s Crater Lake.

With no rivers or streams feeding the lake there are no channels to bring in outside sediment or contaminants, resulting in one of our world’s most pristine bodies of water.

10 Out of 10 We Recommend

Our limited photos don’t do this place justice, but it gives you an idea of what you can expect. Beautiful, high contrasting colors and the cleanest water you’ve probably ever laid eyes on!

Oregon is full of natural beauty and Crater Lake National Park is one stop we implore you to explore. A lake you’ll never forget.

Have you been to Crater Lake? We’d love to hear about your experience here or at any other lake! Let us know in a comment below.

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