Few people know that Crater Lake is one of the snowiest places in the US. This means that winter lasts late into the year and holds on through the early summer. 🥶 So, you’ll want to know what to expect on your visit to Crater Lake in May & June!
Despite the snow, Crater Lake is one of the most stunning destinations in the entire US. With bright blues 💙 reflecting up into the sky, it’s truly a wonder to behold. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.
On our first visit to Crater Lake, we couldn’t see a single thing. 😫 The lake was invisible as snow fell all around us in mid-June! I don’t want that to be the case for you, so I’ve created this guide to help you.
Read below to find out what you need to know about visiting Crater Lake in May & June. This post includes details on what to expect, tips on things to do in the park, and suggestions for where to stay. If you know all this, you’ll be ready for a great trip!
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Table of Contents
All About Crater Lake in May & June
Quick Park Facts
💵 Crater Lake National Park costs $30 for a private vehicle which lasts 7 days. You can also use annual passes like the America the Beautiful Pass for entry.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Crater Lake gets 44 feet of snow a year and often gets snow in both May & early June. If it’s very foggy, you will be unable to see the lake, so check the forecast.
⛺️ Mazama Campground is only open in the summer. It usually opens sometime in mid to late June. There are usually a few first-come, first-served spots until it opens for reservations on June 30th.
🐻 Crater Lake does have black bears, but they are mostly afraid of humans. If you do happen upon one, make loud noises to scare it away.
🦮 Pets are allowed in the park, but only one pet is allowed per person. They are not welcome on every trail, but in the spring most trails are closed regardless.
⚠️ The entirety of the scenic Rim Road is often still closed in May and June. They work to plow it during this time of year, so you can check for updates on its status on the NPS website.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Is Early Summer a Good Time to Visit?
Honestly, visiting in the early summer is a mixed bag. If you want to see the gorgeous lake, practice your photography, and see few other people, then there is no better time. The snow covering the ground contrasts with the bright blue sky.
That being said, check the weather because there’s a chance you won’t be able to see the lake when there’s snowy skies. 🌨
However, if you want to do a lot of hiking, swim in the lake, or take a boat to Wizard Island. Then, you will want to visit later in the summer. The snow doesn’t thaw until early July and that’s when the park truly opens up!
Things to Know About Visiting Crater Lake in Early Summer
Before visiting Crater Lake in June, I had no idea that this was such a snowy destination! They get an average of 1.5 inches of snow per day, which adds up to a whole lot of snow. ❄️❄️❄️
As you’re driving through in May & June, you will see large snow banks on either side of the road. Plus, you might be surprised and get snow in the forecast! If there’s snow and it’s overcast, the lake may not be visible.
Because of the large amounts of snow, most of the park remains closed. 🚫 You will be able to go to Rim Village. But, most of the trails and road open anytime from late June to mid July depending on snowfall. So, you’ll have to stick to the Rim Village and areas just around it.
Where to Stay
Because May & June are part of the off-season, many of the nearby lodging options remain closed. However, both accommodations in the park, the Cabins at Mazama Village & Crater Lake Lodge, usually open in May.
There are a few small towns just outside of the park that have lodging including Chemult and Diamond Lake 🏨. If you prefer to camp, there are a plethora of campgrounds in the area!
Things to Do in Crater Lake in May & June
Even though many of the trails and roads are closed, there are still great ways to spend your time in Crater Lake. We even chose to return again in June to see the beautiful lake and we had a fantastic trip! Read below for all the best things to do in Crater Lake in May & June.
Find out all my favorite outdoor gear here, so you stay warm and dry on your trip!
See Crater Lake at Rim Village
One of the guarantees of visiting the park in early summer is that Rim Village will be open. This building is home to a small cafe, a dining area, a shop, and bathrooms. It’s got a fantastic location above the lake. So, you can see the gorgeous blues of the lake from the cafe.
This is also a great place to park as you explore the Rim Road by foot. There is a fantastic panoramic point 👀 right next to the Rim Village. It’s a must stop for all visitors to Crater Lake.
Walk or Bike the Rim Drive
The Rim Drive is the scenic road around the entirety of Crater Lake. Although large parts of this road remain closed through June, it’s still a fantastic way to see the park.
As the summer progresses, more of the road opens up. However, they often plow parts of the road and open it to pedestrians & bikers 🚲 before allowing cars on it. So, you can have a wonderful day of biking or walking along the road and stopping at the various view points.
We were able to walk just about a mile in the last week of May and it was a gorgeous day with beautiful vistas of the lake!
View Sunrise & Sunset
There’s something magical ✨ about seeing the light and colors change in the sky over Crater Lake. They create an incredible reflection in the water, so that wonderful colors take over the entire landscape.
I personally like to see both the sunrise and sunset. You can view them from any point over the lake that are open. So in May you may have to watch the skies from the Rim Village area. However, that’s really not a sacrifice as it’s a marvelous scene!
Practice Astrophotography
One of my favorite activities to do in the park is practice astrophotography! There is very little light pollution with most Oregon cities being a fair distance away. So, the night skies fill with stars. 🌟
I even saw the Northern Lights at Crater Lake. It was truly unbelievable! 💫
Also, the park is very quiet at night, so you can truly find your own spot along the rim to take some photos. There is truly nothing more magnificent than seeing the dark lake with the Milky way overhead!
Watch the Film at the Visitor Center
We love stopping into a visitor center on every single national park visit. But, stop into the Visitor Center located near the Park Headquarters and you’ll be able to see a wonderful film. 🎥
This film tells you all about the science behind Crater Lake and how it was formed. My husband and I were truly in awe as we watched. Plus, we now have a ton of fun facts to share with friends and family, like that it’s one of the cleanest lakes on earth!
Final Tips for Visiting Crater Lake in May and June
As long as you set your expectations before visiting Crater Lake in May and June, then you’ll have a fantastic time! Remember there’s plenty of snow and most things will be closed.
My husband and I knew that most trails would be closed on our second trip there, so we mostly planned on taking photos and enjoying the scenery. It ended up being a spectacular visit! You’ll seriously be in awe of the natural beauty.
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments
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I went in July a couple of years ago, but I’d love to go when it’s snowy and camp on the rim!
Meanwhile, I have to go later when I can hike!