Ride the Rim Event Cancelled in 2026
Crater Lake National Park has cancelled the 2026 Ride the Rim event due to major construction projects affecting park roads, trails, and visitor areas.
Official NPS sourcePERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Travel Archive
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
2026-04-06
1 STORIES2025-09-03
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park to host Ride the Rim Days 2025
Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with the Friends of Crater Lake and Discover Klamath, will host the 11th annual “Ride the Rim” days on September 6 and 13, 2025. On these consecutive Saturdays, East Rim Drive will be open only to non-motorized recreation including biking, hiking, and running from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m.
Official NPS source2025-07-04
1 STORIES2025 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Due to the hot, dry and breezy conditions and elevated risk for wildland fire in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is entering into fire restrictions. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months.
Official NPS source2024-11-13
1 STORIESKevin Heatley selected as superintendent of Crater Lake National Park
SAN FRANCISCO – The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Kevin Heatley to serve as the superintendent of Crater Lake National Park beginning January 2025.
Official NPS source2024-10-28
1 STORIESFall 2024 Prescribed Burns Planned
Crater Lake National Park Fire Management staff are implementing three prescribed fire projects in the park this fall.
Official NPS source2024-09-13
1 STORIESPacific Crest Trail Fully Open in Crater Lake National Park
The Pacific Crest Trail is now fully open in the park. Three other trails remain closed due to the Middle Fork Fire.
Official NPS source2024-09-12
1 STORIESSummer 2024 Fire Restrictions Lifted at Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park - The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from extreme to high due to recent moisture and predicted cooler temperatures. Effective September 13 at 00:01 am, Crater Lake National Park will rescinded the fire ban implemented on July 25, 2024.
Official NPS source2024-09-04
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park to Host Ride the Rim Days 2024
Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with the Friends of Crater Lake and Discover Klamath, will host the tenth annual Ride the Rim days on September 7 and 14, 2024. On these consecutive Saturdays, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles at 7:00 PM on the Friday before the event (September 6th and 13th) until 4:00 PM on Saturday to allow for nonmotorized recreation including biking, hiking, and running. The event is free, but normal park entrance fees apply.
Official NPS source2024-08-28
1 STORIESNorth Entrance Road Will Open Temporarily for Labor Day Weekend
Crater Lake National Park will temporarily open the North Entrance Road for two-way travel beginning 7:00 AM Saturday, August 31st, through Monday, September 2nd, to accommodate holiday weekend visitors. The road will be closed again beginning 6:00 AM Tuesday, September 3rd, so that hazard reduction work can resume.
Official NPS source2024-08-20
1 STORIESTemporary Closure of North Entrance Road Continues
The North Entrance Road is closed from North Junction to the park boundary at the junction with Highway 138. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of fire crews and the public. The date for reopening is not known at this time. All other park roads will remain open, except for construction closures on East Rim Drive.
Official NPS source2024-08-11
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Temporarily Closes North Entrance for the Middle Fork Fire
The North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park will be closed beginning Tuesday, August 13 to allow firefighters on the Middle Fork Fire to prepare control lines along the North Entrance Road.
Official NPS source2024-07-24
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Fire Ban 2024
Due to the hot, dry and windy conditions and elevated risk for wildland fire in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is implementing a full fire ban. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months.
Official NPS source2024-07-11
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Soliciting Proposals to Provide Guided Vehicle Tours
The National Park Service (NPS) is accepting proposals for a concession contract to operate guided vehicle tours within Crater Lake National Park. The announcement released today outlines an opportunity for a business to provide daily guided land tours along the 33-mile Rim Road around Crater Lake on a seasonal basis. The contract will have a 10-year term and is expected to begin May 1, 2025.
Official NPS source2024-05-08
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Seeks Public Input on Draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan
Crater Lake National Park has released a draft accessibility self-evaluation and transition plan. As part of the planning process, the National Park Service is seeking public comment on the draft plan. Your participation is important to us.
Official NPS source2024-04-18
1 STORIESNational Park Service approves Crater Lake National Park concessions contract transfer
CRATER LAKE, Ore. – The National Park Service (NPS) has approved the transfer of the Crater Lake National Park concessions contract formerly held by Crater Lake Hospitality.
Official NPS source2024-03-12
1 STORIESRanger-Led Snowshoe Walks to Resume at Crater Lake in 2024
Crater Lake National Park is pleased to announce the resumption of our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks. Walks will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from Sunday, March 17 through Sunday, April 28 and on weekdays from Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29. Snowshoes will be provided free of charge and no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.
Official NPS source2024-02-15
1 STORIESStatement from National Park Service Pacific West Regional Director David Szymanski regarding Aramark operations at Crater Lake National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) has provided notice to Crater Lake Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark, that NPS intends to terminate Crater Lake Hospitality’s contract to provide lodging, food and beverage service, retail, boat tours, and other visitor services at Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve unless Crater Lake Hospitality shows cause as to why NPS should not do so.
Official NPS source2024-01-12
1 STORIESWeather Safety Hazards at Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park has been experiencing extreme weather conditions over the past week that have resulted in failures of the park communication system. This has significantly impacted the ability to report emergency incidents so delays in response should be expected. Due to these conditions all facilities are closed, and backcountry travel is strongly discouraged. Highway 62 through the park remains open, but because of heavy and drifting snow and poor visibility, we are asking visitors to refrain from traveling in the park.
Official NPS source2023-09-06
1 STORIESFire Restrictions Lifted in Crater Lake National Park
The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from extreme to high due to recent moisture and predicted cooler temperatures. Effective September 7, 2023 at 00:01 am, Crater Lake National Park will rescind the fire ban implemented on July 28, 2023 To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following regulatory provisions apply to fires within Crater Lake National Park.
Official NPS source2023-07-26
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Ban for 2023
With the increase in fire danger in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park will go into a full fire ban. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following fire ban will be implemented effective at 00:01 AM on Friday July 28, 2023.
Official NPS source2023-07-11
1 STORIESHistoric East Rim Drive to Undergo Major Rehabilitation
The scenic drive around the country’s deepest lake will be safer and smoother because of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. An approximately $56 million dollar project, scheduled to start in Crater Lake National Park this summer, will improve about 19 miles of East Rim Drive and a portion of the Cloudcap Spur Road.
Official NPS source2022-12-29
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park to Move to Cashless Fee Collection Beginning January 1, 2023
Beginning January 1, 2023, Crater Lake National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance and permit fees. Acceptable payment forms include credit and debit cards as well payment apps on mobile devices.
Official NPS source2022-12-19
1 STORIESRanger-Led Snowshoe Walks Begin for the 2022/2023 Winter Season
Crater Lake National Park staff is pleased to announce that our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks have begun for the 2022-2023 winter season. The walks take place on Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays, from December 17 through April 30. They will also be offered daily from December 17 through January 2 and from March 25 through April 1. Snowshoes are provided free of charge and no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.
Official NPS source2022-12-16
1 STORIESCrater Lake, Lava Beds, Lassen Volcanic and Whiskeytown Enter into Agreement for Annual Passes
Due to overwhelming public support, Crater Lake National Park, in conjunction with Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, will be implementing an agreement to honor each other’s annual passes beginning January 1, 2023. This will allow visitors to access all four parks through the purchase of a single annual pass at one of the four parks.
Official NPS source2022-10-24
1 STORIESWinter Fees and Road Closures
Rim Drive and North Entrance Road are now CLOSED for the season. The road from Rim Village to Discovery Point Overlook (approximately 1 mile) will remain OPEN if conditions permit until November 1st. Winter fees are also now in effect. Highway 62 through the park and the road to Rim Village remain OPEN as does the park.
Official NPS source2022-10-03
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Plans Prescribed Burns for Fall 2022
Crater Lake National Park Fire Management staff are preparing to implement three prescribed fire projects in the park this fall.
Official NPS source2022-09-21
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Lifts Fire Restrictions
The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from Extreme to High due to recent moisture and predicted cooler temperatures. Effective September 22, 2022 at 12:01 am, Crater Lake National Park will rescind the fire ban implemented earlier in July. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following regulatory provisions will apply to fires within Crater Lake National Park.
Official NPS source2022-09-08
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park to Host Ride the Rim Days
Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with Discover Klamath, will host the eighth annual Ride the Rim days on September 10 and 17, 2022. On these consecutive Saturdays, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles from 8:00 PM Friday night (September 9th and 16th) before the event to 6:00 PM Saturday (September 10th and 17st) to allow for nonmotorized recreation including biking, hiking, and running. The event is free, but normal park entrance fees apply.
Official NPS source2022-07-27
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Ban 7-28-2022
With the continued fire danger in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park will go into a full fire ban. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following fire ban will be implemented effective at 12:01 AM on Thursday July 28, 2022.
Official NPS source2022-04-04
1 STORIESPile Burning and Prescribed Fire at Crater Lake National Park
Prescribed fire season has arrived at Crater Lake National Park and the park will be applying prescribed fire to the landscape in preparation for the upcoming fire season, including hand thinning of small trees and brush and pile burning this material.
Official NPS source2022-01-18
1 STORIESPark Seeking Public Comment On Cleetwood Trail and Marina Rehabilitation
The National Service is proposing to rehabilitate the 1.1-mile Cleetwood Cove Trail and lakeside marina facilities. This trail is the most heavily used trail in the Crater Lake National Park and the only permitted access to the lakeshore.
Official NPS source2021-11-03
1 STORIES2021 Winter Road Closures and Entrance Fees
Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closed for the season on November 1st. All visitors to Crater Lake National Park must use Highway 62 to access the park from the south or west during these closures. Also on November 1st, the park began charging its winter entrance fee. The fee is $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike.
Official NPS source2021-09-30
1 STORIESFire Restrictions Lifted
The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from extreme to high. Effective October 1 at 00:01 am, Crater Lake National Park has rescinded the fire restrictions implemented on June 30, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-09-22
1 STORIESCrater Lake Trail Management Plan Available for Review
The National Park Service is seeking public input on a Trail Management Plan for Crater Lake National Park. The purpose of the trail management plan is to provide high-quality nonmotorized recreational opportunities while preserving park resources.
Official NPS source2021-08-25
1 STORIESRide the Rim Event Postponed Until 2022
The Ride the Rim event scheduled for September 11 and 18 is being postponed until 2022 due to multiple factors including rising COVID-19 case rates throughout Oregon, limited availability of staff and volunteers, and ongoing unhealthy air quality from fires throughout the region.
Official NPS source2021-07-29
1 STORIESBrief Closure Scheduled for Cleetwood Trail
The Cleetwood Trail in Crater Lake National Park will temporarily close on Tuesday, August 3rd and Wednesday, August 4th so park staff can install a hardening material on a portion of the trail surface. The work is being done mid-week to reduce impacts on visitors and the trail will reopen as soon as the work is completed.
Official NPS source2021-07-15
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Ban
With the warm, dry, and breezy conditions and continued elevated risk for wildland fire in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is implementing a full fire ban. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the fire ban will be implemented beginning 12:01 AM on Saturday July 17, 2021 and will be in effect until further notice.
Official NPS source2021-06-29
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Restrictions for 2021 Season
With the increased fire danger and above normal significant wildland fire potential throughout the region, Crater Lake National Park is implementing fire restrictions effective at 12:01AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-06-24
1 STORIESRim Drive Opens for the Season
The entire 33-mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake along with the 7-mile Pinnacles Road will open for the season on Friday, June 25th. Below average snowfall during the winter and unseasonably early snow melt this spring have led to an accelerated opening.
Official NPS source2021-05-27
1 STORIESNorth Entrance Road to Open for 2021 Season
The North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park will open for travel Friday morning, May 28, 2021 – just in time for the holiday weekend. Superintendent Craig Ackerman announced that visitors will now be able to drive to and from the park via this popular route and access spectacular views of the lake from West Rim Drive.
Official NPS source2020-11-09
1 STORIESWinter Road Closures and Fees
Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closed for the season on November 1st. All visitors to Crater Lake National Park must use Highway 62 to access the park from the south or west during these closures. Winter fees were also implemented beginning November 1st.
Official NPS source2020-10-21
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Rescinds Fire Ban
The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from high to moderate due to recent moisture and predicted cooler temperatures. Effective October 21, 2020 at 12:01 am, Crater Lake National Park rescinded the fire restrictions and the fire ban put in place earlier this year.
Official NPS source2020-09-24
1 STORIESLevel 1 Evacuation Notice Lifted
Based on the status of nearby fires, local forecasts with cooler temperatures and some precipitation, and long-range projections for fire behavior, Crater Lake National Park lifted the Level 1 Evacuation Notification on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. The park will continue to monitor conditions and will reissue any evacuation notifications if needed.
Official NPS source2020-09-10
1 STORIESPark Issues Level 1 Evacuation Notice
Crater Lake National Park has issued a Level 1 Evacuation Notice for the entire park effective at 11:00 AM, September 10, 2020. The Level 1 notice informs residents and visitors to “be ready” for a potential evacuation, including employee dormitories and trailer sites, in the event that a fire approaches these areas. There are no mandatory evacuations at this time.
Official NPS source2020-09-08
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Ban
With the increased fire danger in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park has gone to a complete fire ban. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the restrictions were implemented effective at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Official NPS source2020-08-07
1 STORIESVisitors Illegally Enter the Caldera at Crater Lake National Park
On the afternoon of Friday, August 7th, park staff received a report of multiple visitors in the caldera somewhere between Rim Village and Discovery Point. Law enforcement staff responded quickly to attempt to locate them.
Official NPS source2020-08-01
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Implements Fire Restrictions
With the increased fire danger in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park will go into stage one fire restrictions. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months.
Official NPS source2020-06-06
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park Begins to Increase Recreational Access
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Crater Lake National Park is increasing recreational access and services beginning June 8, 2020. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Official NPS source2020-03-24
1 STORIESUpdate - Crater Lake National Park Is Modifying Operations To Implement Local Health Guidance
Crater Lake National Park, in response to Executive Order 20-12 issued by the Governor of the State of Oregon, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Crater Lake National Park is closed to all park visitors until further notice. This closure will be enforced 24-hours a day/7-days a week and there will be no access permitted to Crater Lake National Park. The only exception is Oregon State Highway 62 through the southern end of the park which will remain open for travel.
Official NPS source2020-03-18
1 STORIESCrater Lake National Park is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance
Crater Lake National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 18, 2020, the Steel Visitor Center at park headquarters is closed and fees will not be collected at the Annie Springs Entrance Station until further notice. Ranger guided snowshoe walks have also been cancelled.
Official NPS source2019-12-06
1 STORIESRanger-Led Snowshoe Walks to Start This Weekend
Crater Lake National Park staff is pleased to announce our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks begin this weekend for the 2019-20 winter season. The walks take place on Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays (except December 25) from December 7 through April 26. They will also be offered daily from December 26 through January 5 and from March 20 through March 29. Snowshoes are provided free of charge and no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.
Official NPS source2019-11-19
1 STORIESNational Register Listing for Army Corps of Engineers Road System
The Army Corps of Engineers Road System (ACERS) at Crater Lake National Park in Klamath County is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places.
Official NPS source2019-11-01
1 STORIESWinter 2019-2020 Road Closures and Fees
Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closes for the season on November 1st. All visitors to Crater Lake National Park must use Highway 62 to access the park from the south or west during these closures.
Official NPS source