Crater Lake National Park — Visitor Info

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Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, filling a volcanic caldera with some of the clearest, bluest water anywhere. No vehicle reservation is needed to enter, but the park sits at high elevation and heavy snow closes most of it for much of the year — only the West Entrance and Rim Village stay open year-round. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: snow can close Rim Drive and the North Entrance well into summer, and reopening dates shift every year — always check the official Crater Lake Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Southern Oregon
Entrance Fee
$30 summer / $20 winter, 7 days
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Payment
Cashless — credit/debit only
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping
Best Time to Visit
Jul–Sep (full Rim Drive access, all facilities open)

Visitor Centers

Tap a visitor center for its official NPS hours & facility info.

Steel Information Center
Near park headquarters, south of Rim Village. Open year-round; recently reopened after a major structural renovation.
Rim Visitor Center (Community House)
At Rim Village, overlooking the lake. Seasonal, generally open late spring through fall.

Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS basic info page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Every vehicle entering Crater Lake needs a park pass — the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.

  • Private vehicle: $30 (May 22–Oct 31) or $20 (Nov 1–May 21), valid 7 days
  • Motorcycle: $25 (summer) or $15 (winter), valid 7 days
  • Per person (on foot/bike, age 16+): $15, valid 7 days
  • Snowmobile: $15, valid 7 days — for the snow-covered North Entrance Road when closed to regular traffic
  • Crater Lake Annual Pass: $55 — also covers Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown NRA
  • America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 — covers Crater Lake and every other federal fee site

Free Entrance Days (2026)

Feb 16 · May 25 · Jun 14 · Jul 3–5 · Aug 25 (NPS's 110th birthday) · Sep 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 11

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Every U.S. 4th grader (and their family, in the same vehicle) can get a free annual pass covering entrance to Crater Lake and every other federal fee site. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any entrance station.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike. You do need one for:

Backcountry Camping

A backcountry permit is required for any overnight stay away from Mazama Campground — overnight camping is not permitted in picnic areas, parking lots, overlooks, or pullouts.

Boat & Trolley Tours

Rim tours and boat tours down to the lake itself are ticketed and popular — book ahead in peak season.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Camping is allowed only in designated sites at Mazama Campground — the park's one frontcountry campground. Fees, RV site availability, and exact opening dates change year to year — use the link below for current details.

Mazama Campground
Near the South Entrance and Mazama Village, about 7 miles from the lake rim. Both tent and RV sites, operated by the park's concessioner (Explor Crater Lake). Open summer season only (roughly June–September, weather dependent). Reserve through the concessioner or recreation.gov; check current RV length limits and hookup availability before booking.

Crater Lake Lodge, also at the rim, books separately and is typically open mid-May through early October. See the NPS Lodging & Camping page for nearby camping options outside the park, and Crater Lake Lodge for lodge reservations.

Good to Know

  • No park-wide shuttle: Rim Drive circles the lake but closes seasonally — check current road status before planning a full loop.
  • Elevation & snow: the rim sits above 7,000 feet, and snow can linger into July — pack layers even in summer.
  • Cell service: limited to nonexistent through most of the park.
  • Winter access: only the West Entrance/Highway 62 stays open year-round; the North Entrance and most of Rim Drive close for winter.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, road opening dates, and campground/lodge availability change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Crater Lake National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Backcountry Camping · NPS – Mazama Campground · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts