Crater Lake National Park is pleased to announce that our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are about to begin for the 2018-19 winter season!
The walks will take place on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from December 8 through April 28. They will also be offered daily from December 15 through January 6, except on Christmas Day. Snowshoes are provided free of charge for these hikes, and no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.
The walks start at 1:00 pm, last 2 hours, and cover 1 to 2 miles of moderate-to-strenuous terrain. The route is up to the ranger, but most walks begin at Rim Village and explore the forests and meadows along the rim of the lake. Along the way, participants discover how winter affects Crater Lake and the park’s plants and animals. Crater Lake National Park is one of the snowiest inhabited places in America, receiving an average of 43 feet of snow per year.
Snowshoeing with a ranger is a fun way to experience this winter wonderland. Space on each tour is limited, and advance reservations are required. For more information and to sign up, call the park’s visitor center at 541-594-3100. The visitor center is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm except on December 25.
Scout troops, hiking clubs, and other organized groups may be able to arrange for a separate tour, staff permitting. There is no cost for the walk, apart from the park entrance fee of $15 per car. Participants must be at least 8 years old and come prepared with warm clothing and water-resistant footwear.
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. The park’s north entrance and Rim Drive are closed to cars in the winter, but the west and south entrances are plowed daily and are open to automobiles throughout the year.
There is no winter lodging in the park, but the Rim Village Café & Gift Shop is open daily except on December 25. Spectacular views of Crater Lake can be enjoyed at Rim Village throughout the winter during periods of clear weather.