April · OR

Crater Lake National Park in April.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

Crater Lake National Park in April still needs a snow-season plan. Headquarters averages a 40°F (5°C) high and 23°F (-5°C) low. Road clearing may begin, but reopening has no fixed date. Choose a flexible snow outing and check access before planning a drive around the rim.

These normals describe park headquarters, not the lake surface or every rim location. Weather varies with elevation and exposure. Check road and trail conditions separately from these climate averages.

In short

April averages 16,857 recreation visits, 10% of July's peak. Fewer visits do not establish snow-free trails or an open rim circuit. For a warmer-weather trip, compare months in the best-time guide.

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Separate plowing from reopening

NPS says West Rim Drive plowing typically begins in mid-April. Opening dates still depend on snow, later weather, road debris, equipment and crews. A plowing update is not permission to drive a closed road.

Use official road status for your actual route. Highway 62 and the approach to headquarters are plowed year-round; the final road to Rim Village can still close during heavy snow.

Prepare for changing snow underfoot

The park's ski and snowshoe routes are ungroomed. Conditions can range from powder to slush or ice, and routes can be difficult to follow. Choose an outing that fits your equipment and experience instead of using a summer trail description as your April plan.

NPS recommends warm, waterproof clothing and footwear for snowshoeing. Review its route information and winter-safety guidance before heading out.

Keep the view and the road as separate checks

Winter clouds often hide the lake. Check the forecast and webcams through the NPS winter planning page, along with road status. A visible lake on the webcam does not establish that your intended approach is open.

If a winter outing is not what you want, use the best-time guide to compare warmer months before booking.

Questions about April

Is Rim Drive open in April?

Do not assume so. West Rim Drive plowing typically begins in mid-April, but NPS sets no fixed reopening date. Check official road status for your travel day rather than treating the start of clearing as an opening.

Is April warm at Crater Lake?

Headquarters averages a 40°F (5°C) high and 23°F (-5°C) low. Plan for cold conditions and snow on routes. These station normals are not a forecast or a measure of current snow depth.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US (USC00351946), 6,485 feet. Normal high: 40.3°F (4.6°C); normal low: 23.1°F (-4.9°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for Crater Lake National Park (CRLA). The April 2025 count is 14,832. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.

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Independence

Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.

Last updated · 2026-10-15