Nestled in the northern foothills of the majestic Olympic Mountains in northwest Washington State lies the beautiful Lake Crescent. Part of the expansive Olympic National Park, this large lake reaches a maximum depth of 624 feet (190 m), ranking it as the second-deepest lake in Washington, surpassed only by Lake Chelan. Stretching 12 miles in length and encompassing a surface area of 5,127 acres (8 square miles), Lake Crescent is a haven for hiking and boating enthusiasts alike. Its crystal-clear, blue waters, attributed to low nitrogen levels inhibiting algae growth, create a picturesque setting that graces many a postcard. Bordering U.S. Highway 101, Lake Crescent offers countless scenic outlooks as the highway winds along its shores, presenting picture-perfect views reminiscent of a Hallmark movie.
Located approximately 18 miles west of the medium-sized town of Port Angeles, Lake Crescent is a bit of a distance from Washington’s major city, Seattle. A drive from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, located centrally within the city, takes just over 3 hours with favorable traffic conditions. Despite the distance, Lake Crescent offers an excellent option for a day trip if you’re in the vicinity. Alternatively, visitors can opt to stay closer in nearby Port Angeles or choose accommodations at one of the two lakeside hotels — Lake Crescent Lodge or the Log Cabin Resort. For those seeking a more outdoorsy experience, Fairholme Campground offers 87 campsites. During our visit, we stayed at an Airbnb in Port Angeles, which I highly recommend – https://abnb.me/3HoDSzA9yFb.
Originally part of Lake Sutherland, Lake Crescent became isolated from its parent lake around 7,000 years ago due to a massive landslide. Now its own body of water, Lake Crescent offers a variety of activities for visitors. With 8 hiking trails available, ranging from lowland forests to mountainous terrain, there’s something for every level of hiker. Among the most popular and easiest trails are Marymere Falls (Marymere Falls of Olympic National Park.), a nearly one-mile round-trip hike leading to a 90-foot waterfall, and Moments in Time, a 0.6-mile loop offering views of the forest and lake. The remaining six trails are much longer and more challenging (typically rated as “hard”), with many ascending into the nearby Aurora Ridge.
In addition to hiking, visitors to Lake Crescent can also enjoy various picnic areas, including Fairholme, Bovee’s Meadow, La Poel (seasonal only), and the North Shore. Boat launches are available at both the west and east ends of the lake, with rowboat rentals offered at Lake Crescent Lodge. Swimming is allowed during the summer months, but caution is advised due to cold water temperatures in other seasons. Multiple swimming areas are available along the shore, although many are over 100 feet deep due to the lake’s depth. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities, and while fishing is permitted, it is catch-and-release only due to low trout levels in the lake.
Lastly, and importantly – Access to Lake Crescent can be limited or completely cut off due to unforeseen events such as rockslides, car accidents, or other catastrophic events like fires or flooding. Due to its isolation and remoteness, plus being adjacent to the two-lane U.S. Highway 101, which is the only road that circles the lake, any major crisis event can disrupt access. During our visit, a rockslide occurred, forcing us to take a detour via Highway 112 on our way to see the sea stacks (The Sea Stacks of the Rugged Washington Coast.). This added an extra 45 minutes to our journey and prevented us from seeing the lake that morning. However, fortunately, the rock slide was cleared by the time we drove back, allowing us to experience the lake again and hike Marymere Falls.
Overall, if you ever find yourself in northwestern Washington State and are seeking one of the most breathtaking lakes in the region, I highly recommend a visit to Lake Crescent. If you’re traveling from Port Angeles to Forks (Forks, Washington: The Home of Twilight. ✨), The Hoh Rainforest (The Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park.), or to explore the Olympic Sea Stacks, you’ll pass by this stunning lake. Prior to our visit, we were told about the scenic beauty of Lake Crescent from colleagues who lived in the state, but experiencing it firsthand exceeded all of our expectations. It’s truly worth taking the time to explore rather than just passing by. Just always be mindful of potential road closures due to unforeseen events! 🙃
