Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is open every day of the year, and each month paints the 16 turquoise lakes in a different light. Below is a no-nonsense guide to lake Plitvice weather, covering temperatures, crowds, seasonal colours, and what to pack, so you can match your visit to the mood you want.
UPDATED JULY 2025
1. Quick climate snapshot
| Season | Day °C | Night °C | Rain days /month | Typical look |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 10‑20 | 2‑10 | 12 | Waterfalls full, fresh green leaves |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 20‑30 | 12‑18 | 10 | Emerald water, long daylight, biggest crowds |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 5‑20 | 0‑10 | 11 | Fiery foliage, quieter paths |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | ‑5‑5 | ‑10‑0 | 8 | Frozen cascades, partial trail closures |
Average based on 10‑year park station data.
2. Season‑by‑season guide
Spring – March to May
- Weather: Unpredictable. A sunny 18 °C day can follow morning frost. Light rain common.
- Why go: Melting snow feeds the waterfalls – they roar the loudest now. Fresh wildflowers (orchids, violets) line the boardwalks.
- Crowds: Low in March, medium by late May when European school trips begin.
- What to pack: Waterproof jacket, light fleece, waterproof shoes (boardwalks can be slick).
- Extra tip: Arrive for 08:00 opening; morning mist over Kozjak Lake makes cinematic photos.
Summer – June to August
- Weather: Warm to hot afternoons (25‑30 °C); thunderstorms roll in late day. Humidity high near waterfalls.
- Why go: All boat and shuttle lines run at full schedule, letting you cover both Upper and Lower Lakes easily. Longest daylight – up to 15 h.
- Crowds: High. Expect queues at Entrance 1 after 09:30. Tickets are date‑timed; book a week ahead.
- What to pack: Breathable shirts, sun hat, 1 l water bottle, quick‑dry towel (kids often paddle at designated spots outside park).
- Extra tip: Enter at Entrance 2 (less busy), then walk downhill towards Lower Lakes – you face the waterfalls, not the crowd.
Autumn – September to November
- Weather: Pleasant 18‑22 °C in September, dropping to single digits by November. Crisp mornings.
- Why go: Maple, beech and hornbeam leaves turn gold, orange and red – reflections double the colour. September still offers full boat service; October boats reduce frequency; November weekdays may run hourly only.
- Crowds: Moderate early autumn, low from mid‑October on.
- What to pack: Layers, lightweight gloves for dawn photos, spare camera battery (cold drains power).
- Extra tip: Stay in nearby village Rastovača; walk to park gate at 07:30, enjoy 90 min of near‑empty trails before tour buses.
Winter – December to February
- Weather: Cold; daytime often below freezing. Heavy snow possible; parts of Upper Lakes close for safety.
- Why go: Waterfalls freeze into white curtains, and the wooden bridges look straight out of Narnia. Lowest ticket price (€10 equivalent).
- Crowds: Minimal; you may share viewpoints with a handful of people.
- What to pack: Insulated boots with grip, microspikes or Yaktrax, thermals, thermos with hot tea.
- Extra tip: Check daily trail status on park’s Facebook page @NPPlitvickaJezera before driving – closures update 08:00.
3. Monthly cheat‑sheet
| Month | Avg Day °C | Key points |
| Jan | 1 | Snow, frozen falls; only Lower Lakes open |
| Feb | 4 | Ice starts melting; quiet |
| Mar | 9 | First flowers, variable weather |
| Apr | 13 | Full thaw, roaring water, low crowds |
| May | 19 | Lush green, all trails open |
| Jun | 23 | Peak flow, long days, busy weekends |
| Jul | 27 | Warmest, buy ticket early slot 07:00 |
| Aug | 26 | High humidity, late‑day storms |
| Sep | 21 | Colour shift, pleasant temps |
| Oct | 15 | Prime foliage mid‑month |
| Nov | 8 | Misty mornings, reduced boats |
| Dec | 3 | Snow likely; magical silence |
4. Ticket & timing basics
- Dynamic pricing: Summer adult ticket ~€40; winter ~€10.
- Slots: Choose entry time half‑hour window. Late arrivals risk refused entry on sold‑out days.
- Opening hours: 07:00–20:00 summer; 08:00–16:00 winter.
- Boats & shuttles: Included in ticket. Last boat leaves Kozjak ~18:00 (summer).
5. Packing list by season
| Item | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
| Waterproof jacket | ✅ | ⬇ (light) | ✅ | ✅ (insulated) |
| Sunscreen & hat | ☀ occasionally | ☀ essential | ☀ low | – |
| Hiking shoes | Waterproof preferred | Breathable ok | Waterproof | Insulated, grippy |
| Mid‑layer fleece | ✅ mornings | – | ✅ | Heavy fleece |
| Micro‑spikes | – | – | – | ✅ |
| Camera rain cover | ✅ | ✅ (storms) | ✅ | ✅ |
6. Combining with Zadar or Zagreb
- From Zadar: 120 km / 2 h drive. Bus leaves 08:00 (June–Oct) via arriva.com.hr.
- From Zagreb: 135 km / 2 h 15 min. Year‑round buses hourly.
Stay overnight near the park to beat day‑trip crowds; guesthouses in Mukinje start €45 double room low season.
7. Best‑value seasons – quick verdict
- Photographers: Late April for waterfalls or 10–20 Oct for foliage.
- Families: Mid‑June to early July before continental holidays spike numbers.
- Hikers who hate crowds: First week of November – trails open, tickets cheap, colours linger.
- Snow lovers: Second half January; higher chance of fully frozen cascades.
Whichever month you pick, check the official forecast the night before, grab the right layers, and let Croatia’s most famous waterfalls do the rest; and when you’re done, don’t forget to explore more travel inspiration from VayCay Couple’s guides to Greece, Italy, and other European gems.
No. Swimming is prohibited to protect the fragile tufa formations. Head to Korana River swim zone 6 km north if you need a dip.
Yes, on a leash. They ride boats & shuttles free but cannot enter visitor centres. Bring water for them; streams are off‑limits.
Classic Route C (both lake tiers) takes 5‑6 h at a relaxed pace. Route B (Lower Lakes only) fits into 3 h.
Wheelchair users can enjoy panoramic lookout between Entrance 1 and Veliki Slap. Most boardwalks have steps; consider panoramic boat ride + shuttle for views with minimal walking.
Two self‑service restaurants at Entrances 1 & 2 (grill plates €10), plus snack kiosks. Bring picnic to enjoy on marked rest areas; no eating on boardwalks.
