Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, and its intensely blue water fills a large caldera. The lake was created by a massive volcanic eruption around 7,700 years ago, which caused a portion of Mount Mazama to collapse. Not long after the formation of the caldera, new eruptions built the base of Wizard Island, an iconic island that rises above the blue water.
Crater Lake reaches a depth of almost 2,000 feet, and has a surface area of a little over 20 square miles. The park is home to a variety of both aquatic creatures and life above land, including over 70 species of mammals.
The Klamath Tribes have lived in this part of Southern Oregon for over 13,000 years, and Crater Lake was known to them as “giiwas,” meaning a sacred place. In fact, they held the belief that the lake was so holy that looking at it would lead to death. Gold Prospectors accidently discovered the lake in 1853, and it became a national park in 1902 after almost two decades of advocacy by William Gladstone Steel.
Today, Crater Lake is home to some of the bluest water out there, and it’s a magnificent place for visitors to enjoy hiking, snowshoeing and scenic views. In this guide, I’ll share all about visiting Crater Lake in the off season, specifically in May. While it’s beautiful year round, there are a lot of extra considerations you need to take into account for a visit between October and May. This is based on my experience visiting Crater Lake in May 2024.
What to Expect When Visiting Crater Lake National Park in May
Crater Lake has two distinct seasons: summer and winter. If you want to hike and be able to explore the park freely without snow, you’ll want to visit between July and September. At any other time, you may have a lot of snow, but you can enjoy snow sports, few crowds, and views that are just as stunning.
During a visit in May, or pretty much any other time between October - April, there’s a high chance that the Rim Drive and the North Entrance Road will be closed.
The west and south entrances are plowed daily as needed. Sometimes they close temporarily due to heavy snow, but reopen when it is safe again.
Fun Fact: Crater Lake National Park receives an average of 42 feet of snow per year!
While the lake is really beautiful to see with snow on the shores, it isn’t always visible due to clouds. You can check the live webcam to see if the lake is visible or not. If you have any flexibility in your travels, you might only want to visit if the lake is visible. The national park service says that the lake is only visible 50% of the time during the winter months.
During the winter months, popular activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more. With proper preparation, it’s a peaceful and lovely time to explore this special place.
Tip: When I mention “winter” throughout this blog, I’m usually talking about anytime from October/November to May/June.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Crater Lake in the Winter Season
Pros:
- The park is beautiful throughout the winter! Seeing it with snow offers a unique view that not everyone gets to enjoy.
- There are fewer crowds than summer, which is the peak time.
- You can enjoy winter adventures such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more.
Cons:
- The entire park won’t be open or accessible. If it’s your first time visiting, you won’t get to see as much as you would in the summer.
- Lake visibility can be hit or miss in the winter (around 50%). It might not feel worth it if you can’t see the lake. Of course, visibility can also be not perfect during the summer, but it’s not as common.
- It might be quite cold, and roads can be icy and more dangerous than in the summer. It might not be a good idea if you’re not used to driving and exploring in the winter.
More Things to Know Before Visiting Crater Lake National Park in the Winter and Year Round
- The park has three webcams that you can view online. For a winter visit, it’s worth checking ahead of time if the lake is going to be visible.
- Oregon chain laws may be in effect during your winter or shoulder season visit to Crater Lake. This usually means that you need to carry tire chains or have traction tires during the winter. Find out details and current conditions on Trip Check.
- Crater Lake National Park charges a fee of $20 per vehicle from November to May 21st, and $30 from May 22nd to the end of October. If you’re visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, it probably makes sense to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass.
- I love listening to Guide Along audio tours, and they have one for Crater Lake! However, this would be better during a summer visit when Rim Road is open.
- As with any national park, make sure to leave no trace. That includes coming prepared, packing out all of your trash, and never approaching wildlife.
- There is currently a multi-year renovation project occurring to improve the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is the only trail that provides access to the lake. This means during a summer visit, you won’t be able to hike down to the lake or take a boat tour. This doesn’t really affect your winter visit, but it’s good to know. The trail is expected to reopen in summer of 2029.
Winter Hiking Tips
- You’ll likely need snowshoes to explore Crater Lake during the off season. There are rental options available in the park and nearby.
- Trekking poles can also be a huge help while snowshoeing.
- You’ll want to wear warm, waterproof layers to stay comfortable while you’re exploring. It is best to have a synthetic base layer, an insulating fleece layer, a shell jacket to protect from wind and a puffy jacket as the outer layer. In May, it is often chilly but sunny, so it's helpful to have options.
- Bring sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours. On a snowy and sunny day, the sun reflects off of the snow and can expose you to double the amount of UV than usual. Also, be sure to apply the sunscreen on the bottom of your chin! Chapstick is also great for protecting your lips.
- Avoid steep cliffs, as avalanches can be a danger with the amount of snow that Crater Lake receives.
Things To Do in Crater Lake National Park in May
Go Snowshoeing
If you want to explore a bit beyond the visitor center views, I highly recommend snowshoeing! If you’ve never done it, this is a great place to try it.
During a large part of the winter season, ranger-led shoeshoe walks are offered! This is an awesome way to safely explore this snowy park, and learn about it along the way. It’s free, and snowshoes are provided at no cost.
However, this is typically offered from late November to April, so not in May. The tours are offered mid-day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
If the guided walks aren’t being offered, or you just want to explore on your own, that is also an amazing way to see this park.
If you don’t have your own snowshoes, they are available to rent at the Rim Village Cafe and Gift shop, or there are outfitters that rent gear outside of the park.
During my May visit, I snowshoed to Discovery Point. This is an amazing viewpoint that provides a bit of a different lake view than from the visitor center.
While the trail normally goes through a forested area near the rim of the canyon, we walked part of the trail on the closed road that was covered in snow.
The park recommends that first-time visitors follow one of the park’s ski routes, and you can find maps in the park newspaper. It’s also polite to avoid walking directly on top of ski tracks while you’re snowshoeing.
Go Cross Country Skiing
If you have some cross-country skiing experience, this is another great way to explore Crater Lake in the winter or spring! The park has several marked and unmarked routes for you to consider. Routes are not groomed, so be prepared for difficult conditions.
You can learn more at the visitor center or in the park newspaper. Personally, I haven’t tried cross-country skiing yet!
Enjoy the Visitor Center and Views of the Lake
The Rim Village Café and Gift Shop remains open throughout the year. From right outside of the building, and inside of it, you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake on a clear day.
As the name suggests, there is a cafe serving food and a shop with souvenirs. You can also get your stamp and learn about the park.
Make the Journey All the Way Around the Lake
The Rim Road is closed throughout the winter, but a few adventurous people take a few days to go all the way around the lake on snowshoes or skis. It’s 31-miles and takes an average of 3 days to complete. This is a dangerous and challenging journey (there's a reason why less than 150 people do this each year). For example, there are several avalanche paths along the route.
A backcountry permit is required for this journey. This is obviously not for everyone, but I wanted to mention it, because it does sound like an amazing journey.
More Winter Activities in Crater Lake
Some of these activities are best from December to March/April, so they might not be great for May. However, other options for winter adventures in Crater Lake National Park include snowmobiling, downhill skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. Read about them on the national park website if these are activities you have experience in, or are interested in.
Where to Stay When Visiting Crater Lake National Park
Camping in Crater Lake
There are two campgrounds in Crater Lake, but they’re only open in the summer months. Backcountry camping is available year round, and requires a permit.
You can find several more campgrounds in the communities that surround the park.
The Crater Lake Lodge
There is a lodge in Crater Lake National Park, and it typically opens for the season in mid-May. This is a very convenient option if you’re visiting during the second half of the month!
Hotels near Crater Lake
There are a handful of communities and hotels that aren’t far from Crater Lake. A few of the closest and highest rated options are Sleep Inn & Suites Chiloquin-Crater Lake Junction, Crater Lake Resort and Aspen Inn.
Personally, I was staying in Medford when I visited, which is located an hour and a half away.
More Things To Do Nearby Crater Lake in May
While you’re a bit limited on what you can see and do in Crater Lake during the shoulder season, this is a great time of year to visit other nearby places in Oregon and Northern California. I recommend spending about a half day in Crater Lake, but taking a longer road trip around the region!
- Visit nearby waterfalls and hot springs in Umpqua National Forest.
- Explore the towns of Medford and Grants Pass.
- Visit Lava Beds National Monument.
- Take a road trip on the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor (the Southern Oregon Coast).
- Visit Redwood National and State Parks.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan a fun and safe trip to Crater Lake during the shoulder or off season! This is a magical park that is especially beautiful when it’s blanketed in snow. Whether you’re spending a whole day snowshoeing, or just stopping by to see the lake, don’t let the snow stop you from visiting.
For more West Coast national parks, check out these guides:
- How to Spend the Perfect Day in Redwood Natioanl Park
- How to Spend 2 Days in Olympic National Park
- The Best Things To Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- The Best Things To Do in North Cascades National Park
- The Perfect Channel Islands Itinerary
- How to Spend 2 Days in Death Valley
- How to Spend 2 Days in Joshua Tree
Thanks for Reading!
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