Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 97604 — Crater Lake, OR

ZIP code 97604 (Crater Lake, Klamath County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 97604 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 19
First frostOct 3
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crater Lake, OR…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Crater Lake, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 13
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Prospect 2 Sw, OR — 23 miles away, elevation 2,484 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 97604

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 3) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 97604 came on Apr 21 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 10).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Oregon

613 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 40

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FBrewer spruce100 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Shrubs 114

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 287

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 161

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 2

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Crater Lake, OR.

Soil in Crater Lake, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97604 is Castlecrest — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Castlecrest-Llaorock complex, 2 to 25 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 97604; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crater Lake, OR

Summer high69 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, February
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights238nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days545base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation66.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall463 inper year; 231 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 20 °F 33°20° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 20 °F 36°20° MarApril: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° AprMay: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° MayJune: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° JunJuly: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° JulAugust: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° AugSeptember: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° SepOctober: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° OctNovember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 10.10 in precipitation, 86.5 in snowfall 10.1❄87 JanFebruary: 7.53 in precipitation, 68.9 in snowfall 7.5❄69 FebMarch: 7.81 in precipitation, 71.9 in snowfall 7.8❄72 MarApril: 6.16 in precipitation, 48.7 in snowfall 6.2❄49 AprMay: 3.65 in precipitation, 14.5 in snowfall 3.6❄15 MayJune: 2.27 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 2.3❄4 JunJuly: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 JulAugust: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 AugSeptember: 1.93 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 1.9❄2 SepOctober: 4.80 in precipitation, 17.2 in snowfall 4.8❄17 OctNovember: 9.60 in precipitation, 59.3 in snowfall 9.6❄59 NovDecember: 11.28 in precipitation, 90.6 in snowfall 11.3❄91 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Crater Lake Nps Hq, OR (7 mi away); precipitation: Crater Lake Nps Hq, OR (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

977316a
Chemult, OR · 19 mi
975368a
Prospect, OR · 20 mi
976266b
Fort Klamath, OR · 20 mi
974478b
Idleyld Park, OR · 25 mi
975228a
Butte Falls, OR · 26 mi
975418a
Trail, OR · 31 mi
977336b
Crescent, OR · 34 mi
976246a
Chiloquin, OR · 35 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97604

What planting zone is ZIP code 97604?

ZIP code 97604 (Crater Lake, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Crater Lake, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97604 is May 19; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prospect 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Crater Lake, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97604 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97604?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97604 get?

About 66.8 inches of precipitation a year and 463 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crater Lake Nps Hq station).

How hot do summers get in Crater Lake, OR?

The average high peaks at 69 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97604 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Castlecrest at the center of ZIP 97604: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Crater Lake, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97604 came on Apr 21 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crater Lake, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97604 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).