Can You Water Ski On Crater Lake?

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon receives an average of 41 ft (12.5 m) of snow annually, with the greatest cumulative snowfall for one season being 879 inches. The park offers various cross-country skiing routes, including through forests, along West Rim Drive to lake overlooks, and Vidae Falls along the East. For those seeking a winter backcountry adventure, skiing around Crater Lake on the unplowed Rim Drive is an unforgettable experience.

The park is known for its picturesque blue skies and a rich blue lake, but visitors can expect a 5050 degree temperature during winter. Even when plowed, park roads can be snow-packed and icy. Vehicles may be required to use chains to enter the park, except for 4-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with winter tires.

Snowshoeing around Crater Lake is popular, with approximately 80 skiers and 40 snowshoers traveling around the lake each winter. The most popular overnight snowshoeing trips are out-and-back journeys along the West Rim Drive. However, water skiing is not possible due to the deep water, and boating is prohibited inside the caldera, along Hwy 62, and in parking lots. Skiing is also prohibited on plowed roads or parking areas, except for the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which usually opens late June.

Despite its chilly temperatures year-round, many adventurous souls flock to the lake’s shores, swimming in the lake via the shore. The trip depends on the weather and can be moderately strenuous if the snowpack is good and weather is nice. Crater Lake is accessible year-round from the South Entrance, where tourists can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and the beauty of the lake in pristine white snow.