Do I need a reservation for Crater Lake?

No reservations are needed to enter the park. You are encouraged to pay the entrance fee or purchase an NPS pass before arriving to save time, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival. Find out more about entrance passes below.



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Of course, with so many hiking trails and blue beauty views that'll never bore you there's no punishment in staying a bit longer than 2 days. In fact, you could even hike some miles of that famous Pacific Crest Trail if that's something you've always wanted to do. The PCT leads in the valley right next to the crater.

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The park isn't too large and it is easy to navigate. We only had one day here and I thought you could easily find time to do a few things in the park with limited time. So even if you only have a day in Crater Lake, I believe it is well worth the detour and your time to visit.

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Pass Information All visitors at Crater Lake National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. Please be prepared to show your physical pass or digital pass on your mobile device. Photos of physical passes will not be accepted.

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Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake. Depending on snow conditions, the trail is usually open from mid-June to late October. Swimming, wading and fishing are permitted in the lake.

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There are three ways into Crater Lake National Park, the most convenient being from the west and south on Ore.

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Last year, Crater Lake National Park was the quietest it's been in a decade. A total of 527,259 people visited the park in 2022, according to National Park Service data, a 19% decrease from 2021 and a 30% decrease from 2016, when a record 756,344 people visited the beautiful blue-hued lake in southern Oregon.

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But Crater Lake is more than 6,000 feet above sea level, so it's relatively cool even in summer. Temperatures plummet in the evenings, so bring long pants and a jacket to wear. And for all its beauty, Crater Lake has swarms of mosquitoes during summer evenings.

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Many Ways to Explore the Park The historic 33-mile Rim Drive circles Crater Lake with views from 30 overlooks. Opportunities to photograph landscapes, the lake, and wildflowers are countless. Stargazing, camping, and with some advance planning fishing are also options for things to do.

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Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument charges an entrance fee. You may purchase a 7-day entrance pass or annual multi-park entrance pass below. The 7-day pass is valid for Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments only.

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NOTE: There is no hiking trail that encircles Crater Lake in the summer. In the winter, you can ski or snowshoe out and back along West Rim Drive or East Rim Drive, or all the way around the lake.

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