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Crater Lake National Park: reservations, fees, camping and weather
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: what you need to book, what it costs, and when the weather is mildest. Checked November 2026.
Do you need a reservation to enter?
Vehicle reservations are not needed; an entrance pass is required.
Fees and passes
$30 per private vehicle May 22–October 31, $20 November 1–May 21 (7 days); $15 per person on foot or bike.
Non-US residents can buy the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250).
An America the Beautiful pass covers entrance at every national park. US citizens and residents get free entry on national park fee-free days.
Camping: how to book
Camping and permits differ by area; reservable sites and permits are booked on Recreation.gov. Many Recreation.gov campgrounds open on a rolling window months ahead and sell out within minutes; if yours is full, set up a cancellation alert.
Campgrounds on Recreation.gov (1)
| Campground | Sites | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazama Village Campground | 216 | Campground | Book ↗ |
From Recreation.gov's official data (RIDB), November 2026. Campgrounds run by park concessioners and some first-come sites aren't on Recreation.gov, so check the park's camping page too. When can I book?
Official planning pages
The park's own pages for the things that change: conditions, closures, camping and permits.
Key dates
- Wed 11 Nov 2026 National parks fee-free day: Veterans Day Confirmed
- December 2026 · exact dates not announced 2027 national park fee-free days announced Expected
Weather by month
| Month | Camping weather | Avg high | Avg low | Precip. | Snow | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor · 0 | 33°F | 20°F | 10.1 in | 86.5 in | 9 h 18 m |
| February | Poor · 0 | 34°F | 19°F | 7.5 in | 68.9 in | 10 h 25 m |
| March | Poor · 0 | 36°F | 20°F | 7.8 in | 71.9 in | 11 h 46 m |
| April | Poor · 0 | 40°F | 23°F | 6.2 in | 48.7 in | 13 h 18 m |
| May | Fair · 45 | 49°F | 29°F | 3.6 in | 14.5 in | 14 h 34 m |
| June | Great · 82 | 57°F | 34°F | 2.3 in | 3.7 in | 15 h 16 m |
| July | Great · 100 | 69°F | 41°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in | 14 h 59 m |
| August | Great · 100 | 69°F | 42°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in | 13 h 52 m |
| September | Great · 100 | 63°F | 37°F | 1.9 in | 1.8 in | 12 h 23 m |
| October | Fair · 43 | 51°F | 30°F | 4.8 in | 17.2 in | 10 h 54 m |
| November | Poor · 0 | 38°F | 23°F | 9.6 in | 59.3 in | 9 h 36 m |
| December | Poor · 0 | 33°F | 19°F | 11.3 in | 90.6 in | 8 h 58 m |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Crater Lake NPS HQ, OR weather station (6,485 ft). Higher trails are colder; temperatures usually drop about 3–5°F per 1,000 ft. "Camping weather" is our simple score: best with highs of 62–82°F, nights above freezing and under 3 in of precipitation. It rates weather only, not road closures, snow on trails or crowds. Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th. About NOAA normals ↗
Questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Crater Lake National Park?
Vehicle reservations are not needed; an entrance pass is required.
How much does it cost to enter Crater Lake?
$30 per private vehicle May 22–October 31, $20 November 1–May 21 (7 days); $15 per person on foot or bike. Non-US residents can buy the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250).
When is the weather mildest at Crater Lake?
Using NOAA averages at the park's weather station, average highs are between 60°F and 85°F in July to September. August is warmest (about 69°F) and February has the coldest nights (about 19°F).
Sources: Crater Lake fees and passes (nps.gov), NOAA station data. Rules change; always check the official park site before you go.
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