When Alan and I were planning a last-minute Crater Lake trip for late May, we should have known something was up. Reservations for three nights at Crater Lake Lodge in southern Oregon‘s Cascade mountains? Score!
Have you tried to get last-minute reservations at a national park lodge? It’s almost unheard of.
There was a very good reason that the lodge had openings for a May trip to Crater Lake National Park. Snow! Although the weather during our trip was sunny and beautiful, activities and access were limited due to a heavy snow cover.
Little did we realize just how beautiful the park would be dressed in snow. And with less visitors at this time of the year, it almost felt like an off-the-beaten-path national park.
But although there was plenty of white stuff laying around, on our sunny visit, temperatures were mild and the scene was gorgeous. What a fun time!
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How to visit Crater Lake in May
Although Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, weather conditions control what you can see and do, especially in May (or other spring months).
The Rim Drive that encircles America’s deepest lake doesn’t usually open until early July, especially during a year of heavy winter snow. This leaves spring visitors to Crater Lake with beautiful views but less to do than on a summer visit.
But, even though activities are limited, visiting Crater Lake in May offers special opportunities that you won’t experience in the summer. The lack of crowds more than makes up for fewer things to do.
And active boomer travelers can still find a national park adventure or two. This is especially true if you like snowshoeing or hiking surrounded by a beautiful white landscape.
What to expect on a Crater Lake May Trip
During the summer, access to Crater Lake National Park (here’s the official website) includes the North Entrance from Highway 138 near Diamond Lake, the South Entrance from Highway 62 near Klamath Falls and the West Entrance on Highway 62 from Medford. But when the Rim Drive is still snow-covered, the South and West Entrances offer the only access to the lake.
Surprisingly for an area that receives so much snow, the 3-mile road from the Visitor Center to Rim Village at the lip of the lake is open year-round. But you won’t have any place to stay in winter as lodging is seasonal.
Although we couldn’t drive the entire Rim Drive, seeing Crater Lake National Park dressed in snow is a spectacular experience. It was a fun photography challenge, too.
Crater Lake is actually a caldera left from the collapse of the volcano, Mount Mazama, about 7,700 years ago. Rainfall and snow make up the pristine waters of the lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States.
During our May trip, we lucked out with crystal clear weather and cornflower blue skies. However statistics show that Crater Lake weather in May can be cloudy with limited visibility of the lake (due to clouds) 20% of the time, although that decreases to 10% in June.
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What to do on a spring trip
Although snow covered the ground on our visit, making hiking trails inaccessible, we still found plenty to do. Alan and I had fun photographing Wizard Island—the cinder cone in the lake—from about every angle possible, watching sunrises and sunsets from rocking chairs at Crater Lake Lodge, and staring at the incredibly tall snow banks on the sides of the roads.
During our visit, the Rim Drive had been cleared about a mile to Discovery Point. Plenty of cars pulled in and out of the parking spaces to photograph yet another perspective of this beautiful Oregon lake covered in snow. Beyond this point the road was open to hikers and bicyclists for several more miles.
Walking a portion of the Rim Drive without vehicular traffic is not-to-be-missed. But there are no restrooms available, so keep an eye out on possible bush break locations.With snow crowding the sides of the road that can be a challenge.
All total, Alan and I walked a six-mile-round trip from the lodge to our turn around point on the Rim Drive.
Hardy hikers carry snowshoes with them to access the unplowed portions of the Rim Drive. If you don’t have any, Rim Village provides snowshoe rentals. The park rangers at the Visitors Center or the staff at the lodge also offer advice about other snowshoe walks and trails.
Of course summer activities include waterfall hikes, drives on Rim Drive or a boat ride on the lake. The boat dock is accessed by the steep 1.1-mile Cleetwood Cove Trail. I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time.
Boomer Travel Tip
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What to wear on a May trip to Crater Lake National Park
Be sure to dress in layers. If the sun is shining brightly, the temperatures rise quickly. We were comfortable hiking in jeans and windbreaker jackets. But on a colder day, I would have chosen to wear light thermals underneath safari pants topped off by a fleece jacket.
Where to stay
The 102-year-old Crater Lake Lodge (book your stay here) opens about the third week of May. It’s the only Crater Lake lodging available in the park until Memorial Day.
Designated a Historic Hotel of America, the lodge underwent an extensive renovation in 1995, which means that the rooms are fairly modern, albeit without phones or a TV.
The lodge offers complimentary wifi to guests but the connection is mediocre at best. However you’re here to experience Crater Lake not talk on the phone or watch TV.
Alan and I especially enjoyed the Great Hall, which has plenty of seating, a rock fireplace and twice-daily ranger talks. Light meals and alcoholic beverages are available after 3:00 p.m., offering a break from the menu in Crater Lake Dining Room.
But plan for at least one dinner in Crater Lake Dining room where windows overlook the lake and the service is first rate. Although pricey, the emphasis on Northwest cuisine featuring Oregon products results in a fresh, tasty meal with a view.
Servings are extremely large so consider sharing an entrée (there’s a small charge to share). Alan and I also enjoyed breakfast here as well as a lunch.
Boomer Travel Tip
Dinner reservations are suggested, especially during the summer.
A word about parking: with snow covering most of the parking spaces at the lodge, parking is limited. Once you find a space, you’ll be reluctant to leave it, which is why we didn’t drive back down the mountain to hike in lower elevations where the snow had already melted.
Three nights at the park in May is probably a little too long unless you’re a die-hard snowshoe enthusiast. Spending two nights at the lodge to hike the Rim Drive or photograph the lake still leaves time to relax in the Great Hall. Not a bad way to experience Crater Lake National Park.
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