Wizard Island. Photo: NPS Photo
Official sources checked October 28, 2026
A seven-day private-vehicle ticket costs $30 from May 22 through October 31, or $20 from November 1 through May 21. The $55 regional annual pass is available to U.S. citizens and residents.
No. Compare separate paid ticket periods, not the number of times you drive through the gate. Two winter tickets cost $40; two summer tickets cost $60. The $55 annual pass saves $5 only in the summer example. Two entries within one valid seven-day ticket do not mean buying two tickets.
| Your dates | Tickets | Annual pass |
|---|---|---|
| Both summer | $60 | $55 |
| Both winter | $40 | $55 |
| Summer + winter | $50 | $55 |
It also covers Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lava Beds National Monument and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. For a private vehicle, the pass covers the holder and accompanying occupants. Check this option before buying separate tickets for those sites.
The current park fee page says no entry reservation is needed. A covering pass or entrance ticket is still required. This does not reserve a campsite, room or tour, or guarantee that roads are open on your date.
These are the currently published rules, not confirmed arrangements for a future year. Check the official links for your travel date.
Work out the cost for your group
| Type | Price | Valid for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | 7 days | May 22 – Oct 31 |
| Private vehicle | $20 | 7 days | Nov 1 – May 21 |
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | All year |
This is a regional pass, not just a Crater Lake pass. Its value depends on your seasonal ticket costs and the other covered sites you visit. The calculator combines its coverage when your trip includes Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic.
Current NPS guidance says vehicle reservations are not needed for park entry. Use the official park page to check activity bookings and current conditions for your dates; no 2027 policy is inferred here.
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the physically demanding, 33 mile (53 km) Rim Drive.
The historic Rim Drive includes 33-miles (53-km) of lake views, panoramic vistas, forests and meadows.
Snowshoeing is a popular activity during the long winter at Crater Lake National Park.
July, August, and September are your best bets for warm, dry weather. In May, June, and October, sunny days alternate with periods of rain and snow. Winters at Crater Lake are long and snowy. Storms from the Pacific Ocean dump an annual average of 41 feet (13.5 meters) of snow at park headquarters. When it's raining or snowing, the lake is usually hidden by clouds. Crater Lake is completely invisible about 50% of the time in the winter!
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Some roads, trails, and facilities, however, are closed seasonally due to snow. North Entrance Road, and West and East Rim Drives close for the season on November 1 (or earlier if there is significant snowfall). Crews begin removing snow from these roads in April, but opening dates vary. The North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive tend to open in early June. The East Rim Drive typically opens in early July.
From the west (Medford) - Take Hwy 62 to the West Entrance. Open year-round. From the south (Klamath Falls) - Take Hwy 97 north to Hwy 62 to the South Entrance. Open year-round. The North Entrance is on Hwy 138 and is accessed from Interstate 5 east at Roseburg or Hwy 97 south from Bend and Chemult. Winter travelers from Roseburg take Route 138 east to Route 230 south to Route 62 east to the park's west entrance. Travelers from Bend take Route 97 south to Route 62 to the park's south entrance.
Prices checked by hand against the park's fees page on October 28, 2026 (page last updated April 22, 2024).
