Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Washington is a beautiful lake offering camping, hiking, picnic areas, and beautiful scenery. The lake is 624 feet deep and truly magnificent.
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Lake Crescent
Huge ice sheets formed the valley and Lake Crescent millions of years ago. As the ice fields retreated they left a steep valley that is now filled with water to become Lake Crescent.
Many geologists feel that Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland were created at the same time.
The area is a great opportunity to explore more of the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
Where is Lake Crescent?
Lake Crescent is about 18 miles west of Port Angeles making it a great day trip.
Lake Crescent is part of Olympic National Park
Storm King Ranger Station
The Storm King Ranger Station was built by the U.S. Forest Service in 1905. It has been a ranger station for over 100 years.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Crescent Lodge -> Click Here
Lake Crescent Lodge
Located at Barnes Point on Lake Crescent Road, just off Highway 101
Lake Crescent Lodge offers a few different types of lodging options ranging from cottages to lodge rooms.
We stayed in a Singer Tavern Cottage and enjoyed amazing views of the lake right from the front porch of our cottage.
Log Cabin Resort
Located on East Beach Road, north of Highway 101.
The Log Cabin Resort has camper cabins, lodge rooms, and an RV area. The lodge rooms sit right near the lake and offer amazing views.
Fairholme Store
The Fairholme Store is located right off of Highway 101 and offers groceries and boat rentals (summer only).
Lake Crescent Camping
There are a couple of options for Lake Crescent Camping including the NPS Fairholme Campground and the RV camping area at the Log Cabin Resort.
Fairholme Campground
87 sites (one accessible), fire pits with grates, picnic tables, potable water, animal-proof food storage lockers, accessible restrooms, RV dump station.
Open late spring into early fall.
Log Cabin RV Resort
Summer-only RV campground.
I will say that calling this an RV resort may be a bit of a stretch. This small RV Campground does have hook-ups but the sites are tightly packed in together.
We had to sit for 20 minutes while a camper attempted to pull his camper out of his spot. The other trucks and RVs were so tight that he was struggling to be able to pull out.
Lake Crescent Hikes
There are multiple hiking trails surrounding the lake. You can enjoy a leisurely walk to Marymere Falls or the longer but still gorgeous Spruce Railroad Trail.
Marymere Falls
Distance - 0.9 miles one way
Elevation gain - 400 feet
Hike to a gorgeous waterfall through an old-growth forest.
Moments in Time
Distance - 0.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain - None
Self-guided nature trail through forest and by the lake, accessible with assistance.
Mount Storm King
Distance - 2.2 miles one way
Elevation Gain - 2,000
Spruce Railroad
Distance - 4.0 miles one way (6.5 miles extension one way)
Elevation Gain - 100 or 500 feet
Fairholme Campground Loop
Distance - 0.8-mile loop
Elevation Gain - 100 feet
Pyramid Peak
Distance - 3.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain - 2,600 feet
Aurora Creek
Distance - 3.4 miles one way
Elevation Gain - 3,220 feet
Barnes Creek
Distance - 7.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain - 4,200 feet
Picnic Areas
East Beach
The East Beach picnic area has a very popular swimming beach and great space for kids to play.
Amenities- accessible vault toilet, fire pits, tables.
Bovee's Meadow
Beach, accessible vault toilet, tables.
La Poel
La Poel picnic area has amazing views of the lake and Pyramid Mountain.
(summer only): firepits, tables, accessible vault toilet.
North Shore
Accessible vault toilet, firepits, tables.
Boating
Boat launches are located at both east and west ends of the lake.
Rowboats are available for rental from Lake Crescent Lodge.
We truly believe this is one of the best Olympic Peninsula Kayaking destinations!
Lake Crescent Map
Distance to other Olympic National Park Destinations
One thing to know about traveling within Olympic National Park is many destinations are a fair distance away from each other. This is not a park you are going to see everything in one or two days.
It can take a lot longer than you expect to reach many destinations within the park. Plan extra time for driving!
Crescent Lake -Storm King Ranger Station to -
Hurricane Ridge - 39 miles, 1 hour
Sol Duc - 16 miles, 1 hour
Hoh Rainforest - 72 miles, 2.5 hours
Kalaloch - 40 miles, 1 hour
Mora - 48 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes
Lake Ozette - 65 miles, 2 hours
Quinault Rain Forest - 120 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes
Staircase Ranger Station - 126 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes
Rules/Regulations
Pets and bicycles are not permitted on trails, except on the Spruce Railroad Trail.
Alcohol and glass are not permitted on public beaches.
Additional Olympic National Park Information & Resources
Olympic National Park Guided Tours
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some spectacular hiking opportunities. On this tour, visit two of the most stunning natural spots - Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach - and enjoy short hikes at both destinations. With round-trip transportation, National Park fees included, and an optional packed lunch, everything is taken care of, so you can focus on admiring the views.
Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 12 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Have a special chance to explore Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide - and make your sightseeing logistics smooth and hassle-free on this small group tour from Seattle. With round-trip transit from your downtown hotel, getting to the UNESCO-listed park is made simple. From beaches to mountains to forests and beyond, experience the best of this spectacular landscape, seeing and doing more with your guide than you could alone.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Olympic National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to 1 day | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Download this audio tour and you'll discover more on your Olympic National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions play automatically, all based on your location.
You'll be guided to all of the park's famous highlights as well as the lesser-known gems, including the most easily accessed mountain area in the park with superb views and hiking trails, a unique temperate rainforest where you can walk amongst the giant trees, and incredible beaches rich with tidepools.
Where to stay when visiting Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park Lodging
There are multiple National Park Lodges within the park. Deciding on which lodge to stay in will largely depend on what part of the park you plan to explore because it certainly is one of those National Parks that you'll visit multiple times and still have something new to see (like we do!)
🏨Ready to Book the Kalaloch Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: Year-round
- Location: Along Highway 101 on the Pacific Ocean
The Kalaloch Lodge is a perfect place to stay while exploring the Olympic Peninsula and was indeed one of our favorite National Park Lodges we've ever stayed at. With well-equipped rooms and unbeatable views of Kalaloch Beach, you're sure to fall in love with this lodge.
🏨Ready to Book Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort -> Click Here
- Season: Mid-April to the end of October
- Location: Right by the Sol Duc Hot Springs
The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is a rustic, serene property located by the hot springs. With a reservation at this resort, you'll also get access to swim in the hot springs, which was undoubtedly the highlight of our stay there. The property's prime location in the forested region also gives you easy access to the nearby trails, the Sol Duc Falls, River, and Valley.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Crescent Lodge -> Click Here
- Season: May to January
- Location: Beside Lake Crescent, approximately 30 minutes from Port Angeles, Washington
The Lake Crescent Lodge boasts phenomenal views of Lake Crescent and offers a variety of accommodating options like cottages, lodge rooms, single tavern cottages, and more for you to choose from. If you end up deciding on a cottage (like we did), you'll get a chance to catch the gorgeous sunsets over the lake from your front porch. You can also rent kayaks from the property to go kayaking on the lake.
Lodging near Olympic NP
Olympic NP borders multiple gateway communities including Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, La Push, Olympia, Forks, and Shelton.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Quinault Lodge -> Click Here
At Lake Quinault Lodge, you can look forward to golfing on site, a terrace, and shopping on site. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna. The onsite family restaurant, Roosevelt Room, features American cuisine. In addition to a firepit and mini golf, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Perch Small - Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water
🏨Ready to Book Perch Small- Treehouse - Eagles Perch Over The Water -> Click Here
Stunning Tree house looking over the Strait of Juan De Fuca is a total North-West Washington experience. It is made of cedar with rustic touches. Once you are inside you will never want to leave as the floor to ceiling window looks onto the straight and with constant moving landscape of cruise ships, wildlife, and bald eagles soaring across your window.
Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor
🏨Ready to Book the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor -> Click Here
Take advantage of dry cleaning/laundry services, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar at Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location. Be sure to enjoy a meal at 48° North, the onsite restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a business center.
Click on the map below to see additional hotel and vacation rental rates in the area.
Olympic National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Olympic National Park Resources
Check out all of the Olympic National Park Camping options. There are 14 campgrounds within the park
Olympic National Park Lodging - Check out our complete guide of all the places to stay within the park
Things to do in Olympic NP - Find out all of the top things to do in this great park.
Free National Park Days - Check out the 5 days a year the National Park Service waives entrance fees.
Most visited National Parks - Check out all of the top-visited parks in the United States
Moon Olympic Peninsula Guide Book
Olympic National Park trails map
Check out all of the Washington National Parks along with neighboring Oregon National Parks, Idaho National Parks, National Parks in Hawaii, and National Parks in Alaska
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