Crater Lake Travel Guide
Crater Lake travel guide: interactive map, live weather, best time to visit, things to do and nearby places.
Active alerts for Crater Lake
Red Flag Warning issued August 23 at 11:59AM PDT until August 24 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Issued by NWS Medford OR
Summary
Crater Lake is a lake in Oregon. Crater Lake is a lake known as the deepest lake in the United States.
Right now it is 59°F (15°C) in Crater Lake with clear sky. It feels like 53°F. Today runs from 49°F to 68°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.4/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Crater Lake is July and August. The climate is subarctic. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 74°F, while February is the coldest with lows near 23°F.
The closest major airport is Portland International Airport (PDX), about 184 mi away. Nearby highlights include Crater Lake National Park, Mount Shasta, Smith Rock State Park and Silver Falls State Park.
In plain terms. Today is slightly cooler than average for August. The forecast high of 68°F is 3.4°F below the 71°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 1 PM to 4 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in Crater Lake today at 10/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Map of Crater Lake
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 42°56′40.6″N 122°6′32.4″W (42.9446, -122.109)
Weather in Crater Lake right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 12:20 PM, Aug 23 local time.
Weekend outlook
☀️ 68° / 49°
Clear sky · 0% rain · wind 14 mph
☀️ 71° / 46°
Clear sky · 0% rain · wind 9 mph
Quick facts about Crater Lake
| Type | Lake |
|---|---|
| State | Oregon |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 42°56′40.6″N 122°6′32.4″W (42.9446, -122.109) |
| Maximum depth | 1.949 ft |
| Known for | the deepest lake in the United States |
| Local time | 12:20 PM (UTC-07:00) |
| Best months | July and August |
| Climate | Subarctic |
Things to do in Crater Lake
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Crater Lake.
Best time to visit Crater Lake
Go in July and August. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What to pack, what to skip
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 66°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Airports near Crater Lake
Closest airports with IATA codes and distances.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland International Airport | PDX | 184 mi | Portland |
Explore Crater Lake
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Travel Guide for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Crater Lake?
Crater Lake is a lake in Oregon. Its coordinates are 42.9446, -122.109. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Crater Lake right now?
It is currently 59°F (15°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 55% and wind is 11 mph.
When is the best time to visit Crater Lake?
July and August offer the most comfortable conditions in Crater Lake, which has a subarctic climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Crater Lake in?
Crater Lake observes America/Los_Angeles (UTC-07:00). The local time is 12:20 PM.
What is the nearest airport to Crater Lake?
The closest airports are Portland International Airport (PDX), 184 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Crater Lake?
Popular options include Crater Lake National Park, Mount Shasta, Smith Rock State Park, Silver Falls State Park, Redwood National and State Parks and Mount Hood.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (lakes) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 12:20 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
