November · OR

Crater Lake National Park in November.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

Crater Lake National Park in November calls for a winter plan. Rim Drive and the North Entrance normally close by November 1; approach via Highway 62 and check the final road to Rim Village. Headquarters averages a 38°F (3°C) high and 23°F (-5°C) low.

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

November averages 11,777 recreation visits, 7% of July's peak. The quieter month comes with seasonal service and road limits. Confirm the drive and your overnight plans before choosing activities.

Check before you go

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Approach from the South or West Entrance

The South and West Entrances on Highway 62 are the normal year-round approaches. Winter driving may require chains or snow tires. Rim Drive and the North Entrance normally close with the first big snowstorm or November 1, whichever comes first.

The road from headquarters to Rim Village is a separate check: heavy snow can close those final 3 miles for days or weeks. Read official road status before departure, including when planning a Thanksgiving visit.

Prepare before reaching the park

NPS advises filling your gas tank before the park boundary. Many services and programs close for the winter season. Confirm food, lodging and service hours directly, and bring what you need for your planned time outside.

The 23°F (-5°C) normal low is below freezing. Pack warm layers and check the local forecast; headquarters temperatures do not describe every point around the rim.

Check whether a lake-view trip fits the forecast

Clouds often hide the lake in winter. Use the NPS winter guide and its webcam links before committing to a drive mainly for the view. Keep an alternative plan if weather or road access changes.

If your goal is a warmer-season drive around the rim, compare months in the best-time guide before fixing your dates.

Questions about November

Can I visit Crater Lake at Thanksgiving?

Plan for winter access and check official road status near departure. The South and West Entrances are the normal approaches, while the road to Rim Village can close during heavy snow. Monthly visit counts cannot predict Thanksgiving crowds or service availability.

Is November still fall at Crater Lake?

NPS treats November as part of the extended winter season. Headquarters averages a 38°F (3°C) high and 23°F (-5°C) low, and the rim circuit normally closes by November 1. Prepare for winter driving and limited services.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US (USC00351946), 6,485 feet. Normal high: 38.0°F (3.3°C); normal low: 23.2°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 November 2025 count is 6,380. 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