North entrance closed to Crater Lake
Oct. 25—Crater Lake National Park's North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closed for the season Monday due to snow over the past weekend and more snow in the forecast, park officials announced.
Although the roads close every winter, the seasonal closures came early because of the snow, park officials said.
Visitors still can use Highway 62 to reach the south end of the park.
Near the crater, workers will attempt to keep West Rim Drive open from Rim Village to Discovery Point, located about a mile away, until Nov. 1 if conditions permit, park officials said.
With elevations from 5,850 to 7,960 feet above sea level, North Entrance Road and Rim Drive receive an average of more than 40 feet of snow each year and are not plowed from fall to late spring because of deep drifts, avalanche risk and other dangerous conditions. The two roads will reopen in late spring or early summer 2023. Exact dates for road openings depend on snow depths each year, park officials said.
Winter entrance fees are now in effect for the park. The fee is $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle or $15 per person on foot or bicycle. The entrance fee is good for seven days and is collected at the Annie Springs Entrance Station.
Annual passes to Crater Lake National Park cost $55 and are good at Lava Beds National Monument in Northern California, as well. An America the Beautiful Pass, good for entry into all national parks for one year from date of purchase, costs $80. To buy a mobile pass online prior to visiting, see www.recreation.gov/sitepass/2647.
Crater Lake National Park is open 365 days a year. Highway 62 and Munson Valley Road, which leads to Rim Village and lake-viewing access, are plowed throughout the winter. During heavy snowstorms, however, the road from park headquarters to Rim Village may be closed to allow plow operators to focus their efforts on the remaining roads. When visiting the park in fall, winter and spring, visitors should be prepared for winter road conditions with traction tires or by carrying chains and knowing how to use them, park officials said.
Visitors can check current visibility and road conditions on the park's webcams at nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. Please note conditions can change rapidly, and refunds are not offered for poor visibility or lack of access to Rim Village after visitors go past the entrance station, park officials said.
Crater Lake is obscured by clouds almost half the time during winter, according to park officials.
Visitors should fuel their vehicles before arriving at the park, as gasoline is not available from mid-October until late May.
A heated restroom with running water is located in Rim Village and open 24 hours a day. In addition, there are open vault toilets located at Ponderosa Picnic Area near the park's south entrance, Goodbye Picnic Area on Munson Valley Road and at the Old West pullout near the west entrance. The vault toilets will remain open and available until snow becomes too deep to keep them accessible. Restrooms also are available in the Rim Cafe and Gift Shop, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The Steel Information Center is closed for construction. Visitor information is available at the Mazama Village Visitor Center.
For the latest information and updates, see nps.gov/crla or call the park at 541-594-3100 between 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
