Crater Lake in June: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Best window · VisitWhen score 84/100 · #1 of 12 months
June is one of the best months of the year to visit Crater Lake National Park: crowds run 44% of the July peak (72,067 average visits). Weather: highs average 57°F and lows 34°F, with 2.3″ of precipitation and 15.3 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Crater Lake in June
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 34°F.
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Crater Lake in June: what the park service says
June brings Crater Lake closer to summer: average highs of 58°F, lows of 34°F, about 4 inches of new snow, and roughly 2 feet still on the ground at headquarters. The lake is invisible about 10% of the time. Plowed stretches of Rim Drive that are not yet open to cars are open beyond the gates to walkers, cyclists and leashed pets, and most trails are still under snow.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in June
Crater Lake averages 72,067 recreation visits in June — 44% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Daytime stays cool (highs average 57°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). Average precipitation is 2.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 15.3 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US (1 mi from park coordinates, 6,485 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of June.
What to pack for Crater Lake in June
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Packable rain jacket — 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Also at their best in June
Other parks whose computed June verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- North Cascades in June — 26% of peak crowds, highs 74°F, score 91/100
- Katmai in June — 34% of peak crowds, highs 59°F, score 88/100
- Olympic in June — 48% of peak crowds, highs 67°F, score 78/100
- Sequoia in June — 69% of peak crowds, highs 68°F, score 75/100
Common questions
Is Crater Lake crowded in June?
Moderately: June runs 44% of the July peak, averaging 72,067 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Crater Lake.
What is the weather like in Crater Lake in June?
Average highs of 57°F, lows of 34°F, 2.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US station). Compare it with other national parks in June.
What should I pack for Crater Lake in June?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Packable rain jacket; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in July instead? Crater Lake in July has its own list.
Is everything open at Crater Lake in June?
Rim Drive and the north entrance are typically closed November–June; the south entrance and Rim Village stay open year-round for snow-season lake views. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in June · Last verified 2026-09-24