Scant snow means Crater Lake, Ore., cabins, campground will open early

Cabins and facilities inside Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park will open Friday, a month earlier than usual, thanks to light snow and dry conditions.

Usually officials wait for the snow to melt before opening facilities at Crater Lake, which is 1,943 feet deep.

But the cold white stuff was in short supply this year.

The Cabins at Mazama Village and Annie Creek Restaurant & Gift Shop will open Friday instead of the scheduled May 22 date, Xanterra Parks & Resorts said.

Cabins are in a pine forest and start at $144 a night, plus $10 for each extra person.

The Mazama Village Campground and store, usually not open to visitors until mid-June, will open May 8. It has 214 tent and RV sites.

The main Crater Lake Lodge, which turns 100 this year, will open May 15. The historic building has 71 rooms and great views of the lake.

Crater Lake is America’s fifth national park, created in 1902. Admission to the park costs $10 per car.

Info: Mazama Village and Crater Lake Lodge reservations, (888) 774-2728