March · OR

Crater Lake National Park in March.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

Crater Lake National Park in March is a winter trip, with snowy routes and limited road access. Headquarters averages a 36°F (2°C) high and 20°F (-6°C) low. Choose March for a snow-focused visit; keep your plans flexible if seeing the lake is the main goal.

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

March averages 10,843 recreation visits, 7% of July's peak. Low visitation does not establish an easy drive or a clear view. Check the road to Rim Village and the forecast before departure.

Check before you go

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Check the approach to Rim Village first

Rim Drive and the North Entrance are normally closed to cars in winter. Highway 62 and the road to headquarters are plowed year-round, but the 3-mile road onward to Rim Village can close for days or weeks during heavy snow.

Check official road status before setting out. Reaching headquarters does not guarantee you can drive to the rim; use NPS winter planning guidance to prepare.

Choose a snowshoe route that fits your experience

For first-time visitors, NPS recommends following a park ski route; maps are in the park newspaper. The routes are ungroomed and can be deep or difficult to follow, so choose your distance around conditions and your skills.

Snowshoeing is prohibited inside the caldera and on roads or parking lots where vehicles are allowed. Stay well back from the rim: overhanging snow cornices can collapse. A snowy edge can look like solid ground.

Keep the lake view optional

NPS notes that clouds often hide the lake in winter. Check the forecast and webcams before making a long drive just for a view. If the lake is your sole reason to travel, allow flexibility instead of treating March's low visit count as a guarantee of good sightseeing.

For a warmer-weather trip, compare July through September in the best-time guide.

Questions about March

How cold is Crater Lake in March?

Headquarters averages a 36°F (2°C) high and 20°F (-6°C) low. These monthly normals are not a forecast, and temperatures vary around the rim. Pack for winter conditions.

Can I drive around Crater Lake in March?

Rim Drive is normally closed to cars during winter. Check the road to Rim Village separately; it may close during heavy snow even when the approach to headquarters is open.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US (USC00351946), 6,485 feet. Normal high: 36.1°F (2.3°C); normal low: 20.3°F (-6.5°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 March 2025 count is 5,633. 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