Considering a winter visit to Crater Lake National Park? Check out conditions and the weather before you go.
Is the weather at Crater Lake Naughty or Nice?
Go to the Crater Lake National Park's Current Conditions page and find out!
http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm
Crater Lake National Park Rim Drive Closes for the Season
The Rim Drive and North Entrance at Crater Lake National Park will close for the season on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 to complete winter preparations before heavy snow arrives. Visitors are welcome to hike and bike on the closed portions of Rim Drive as long as weather permits. The South and West Entrances to Crater Lake National Park on Highway 62 remain open to visitor traffic year round. However, visitors will not be able to access the park from Highway 138 after October 31. Obtain road, weather, and avalanche conditions information at the park by calling the park at 541.594.3000. Weather and road conditions can be severe due to winter storms, and can change rapidly.
Winter visitors can help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit by preparing their vehicles for winter driving conditions, and carrying adequate clothing, food, water and a full tank of gas. No gas is available in the park this time of year. Skiers and snowshoers are encouraged to contact the Steel Information Center for current avalanche conditions before heading out on the trails. When enjoying the view of Crater Lake from the caldera rim, stay well back from the edge to avoid falling, as conditions may be slippery and hidden cornices unstable. Despite the road closure, the park is always open.
Winter season visitor services at the park are provided at the Steel Information Center located in Munson Valley adjacent to Park Headquarters. Beginning Monday, November 14, 2010, the Steel Information Center will go to winter hours and will be open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. A park orientation film is shown throughout the day upon request and the Crater Lake Natural History Association Store will be open for the sale of books and park interpretive materials . The Rim Café and Gift Shop will be open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm for limited sandwich/deli style food, beverages, and gift purchases, as well as indoor lake viewing from the second floor Watchman room.
Additional visitor services starting in late November will include free ranger guided snowshoe walks (snow permitting) every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Call the Steel Information Center at 541.594.3100 for more information on start date and schedules.
Need to talk to someone at our parks?
For Crater Lake visitor information please call the National Park at 541.594.3100.
For Oregon Caves visitor information please call the Monment at 541.592.2100 ext 2262.
Donation Feature
Consider a tax deductible donation to the Crater Lake Natural History Association. Click on the Donate Now! on the left hand side. Enter a quantity and know that you are helping your favorite park (Crater Lake) and national monument (Oregon Caves) meet its educational and scientific goals.
Who we are
The Crater Lake Natural History Association (CLNHA), established in 1942, is the officially recognized National Park Service 501 (c) (3) non-profit cooperating organization dedicated to advancing educational and scientific activities at Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) and Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction, Oregon (OCNM).
What we do
The CLNHA prints park newspapers for Crater Lake & Oregon Caves, publishes park related books, and purchases equipment for educational & scientific research programs requested by the Crater Lake and Oregon Caves staff.
How we do it
The Association directly returns its profits to the parks by the sale of books, posters, maps, post cards and other interpretive materials to park and monument visitors.
Our stores are open year round at the Visitor Centers at Park Headquarters (CLNP and OCNM) and in the summer at the Kiser Building on Crater Rim. Our stores are the only stores in the park that return profits directly back to the park for its benefit and the benefit of visitors.
The Crater Lake Natural History Association is a member of the Association of Partners for Public Lands, an organization dedicated to the success of cooperating associations such as the CLNHA.
Membership
Become a member of the Crater Lake Natural History Association, learn more about the park's natural and cultural resources, and advance the objectives of the Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) and Oregon Caves National Monument (OCNM). Purchase yearly memberships at park visitor centers when you visit CLNP or OCNM. Members receive a number of benefits including:
-
A 15% discount on books, videos, maps, and other sales items at Crater Lake and Oregon Caves Natural History Association Stores.
-
Discounts from most other park Natural History Associations including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Mt. Rainier.
-
A subscription to Crater Lake National Park's semi-annual newspaper "Reflections" and the CLNHA News Letter.
-
Notification of CLHNA events, members only hikes, and members¡¯ special deals at the bookstores.
-
The satisfaction of assisting the important educational and scientific programs of Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument.
Join or renew now! Go to Go Shopping, A-1 Memberships.
Recent Crater Lake Natural History Association Publications
 Exploring Crater Lake National Park: A Family Activity Book by April Azary Thomas with the help of NPS experts. Published January 2008 by the Crater Lake Natural History Association. $12.95
Available at CLNHA Bookstores at Crater Lake and Oregon Cave Visitor Centers and on-line at craterlakeoregon.org or just click "Go Shopping" at upper left.
A great way for "kids" of all ages to learn about Crater Lake National Park using crosswords, anagrams, and word searches based on the natural history of the park as presented in the book. It is a great opportunity for intra-generational fun. Sit down with a child and have them help you with the answers. Spiral bound, laminated covers, 8.5 by 11 inches, and 104 fun, informative pages. Maps and illustrations.
One buyer's story: I just wanted to give you feedback on the book you sent. I purchased it for my 9-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. They are often as different as night and day, and the book has appealed to both of them. There are words searches and other games for my son, and coloring pages for my artistic daughter. They BOTH love the animal and area facts.
Overall, I would say it is a very well thought-out book that any child would enjoy. The variety within the book is wonderful!
Sincerely, Name withheld, Carmel, IN
 Plants & Animals of Crater Lake National Park: An Introduction to Familiar Species Researched by Kevin Franken, David Grimes and Michael Murray. Published 2007 by the Waterford Press for the Crater Lake Natural History Association. $6.95
A beautifully illustrated, pocket-sized, laminated guide to common plants and animals of Crater Lake National Park. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and two lichens. Animals include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.
 A Crater Lake National Park Vascular Plant Checklist by Peter F. Zika. Published 2003 by the Crater Lake Natural History Association. $9.95. Spiral bound. 92 pages. Some maps and illustrations.
A list of all documented vascular plants found in Crater Lake National Park to 2003. Contains scientific names with synonyms, common names, park habitat, locations, and special notes, from ferns and conifers through flowering plants, a Crater Lake gazetteer, and extensive list of references.
A must for serious botanists visiting or interested in the flora of Crater Lake National Park.
|
