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Crater Lake · December
December is one of the best times to visit Crater Lake — about as busy as November, about as busy as January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 33°F, about 9 hours of daylight, and 3 seasonal closures in effect.
Crowd score
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 4% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
December draws about 1% of Crater Lake’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US
What's open
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.
Seasonal closures may apply:
Even though the sun is shining, the open roads in the park may still have icy patches, especially in the mornings and evenings when the temperatures drop. Please drive with caution.
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for construction. This critical project will fully rehabilitate the trail and marina to ensure safe access to the lake, provide a much-improved visitor experience, and protect the environment.
Details on nps.gov →East Rim Drive is currently CLOSED to all public access from Park Headquarters to Phantom Ship Overlook for road construction. West Rim Drive, North Entrance Road, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Phantom Ship Overlook, Cloudcap Road, and Pinnacles Road are now OPEN for travel.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Even though the sun is shining, the open roads in the park may still have icy patches, especially in the mornings and evenings when the temperatures drop. Please drive with caution.
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for construction. This critical project will fully rehabilitate the trail and marina to ensure safe access to the lake, provide a much-improved visitor experience, and protect the environment.
Details on nps.gov →East Rim Drive is currently CLOSED to all public access from Park Headquarters to Phantom Ship Overlook for road construction. West Rim Drive, North Entrance Road, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Phantom Ship Overlook, Cloudcap Road, and Pinnacles Road are now OPEN for travel.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
FAQ
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Crater Lake National Park — about 4% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 7,026.
In December, Crater Lake averages a high of 33°F and a low of 19°F, with about 11.3 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Crater Lake costs $30 (This is the summer entrance fee and is charged from mid-May through the end of October. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.).
Crater Lake is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-December, Crater Lake gets about 9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:32 AM and sunset around 4:34 PM.