When to visit Crater Lake without the crowds
Crater Lake (Oregon, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, May, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The second week of September.
Tip
So much snow falls that the rim fully opens only July to October; in winter, snowshoe it.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 0 °C (32 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 1 °C (34 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 3 °C (37 °F) | |
| April | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 7 °C (44 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 13 °C (56 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 19 °C (66 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 25 °C (78 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 25 °C (77 °F) | |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 20 °C (67 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 1/5 · calm | 12 °C (54 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 4 °C (40 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 0 °C (32 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Metres of snow: the road around the lake is closed from November to late June or July.
- Wildfire smoke in some years (Aug–Sep).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Crater Lake National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Crater Lake without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually March, October and December (crowds 1/5). In October the average high is 12 °C (54 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Crater Lake most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of September.
What is the weather like in Crater Lake?
Average highs range from 0 °C (32 °F) in December to 25 °C (78 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Crater Lake?
Metres of snow: the road around the lake is closed from November to late June or July. Wildfire smoke in some years (Aug–Sep).
More places in Oregon
- Portland (Oregon) calm in February, March, April, May, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Bend calm in February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August