Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lake Crescent

    4.7 (75 reviews)

    Lake Crescent Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Lake Crescent

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tara R.

    Must stop when you are in the area. Trails, waterfalls, camping, lodge and more. Gorgeous, well maintained area.

    Wendi K.

    Summer in the PNW heaven! We rented a small tent in Port Angeles, and drove to the lake here. It's absolutely breathtaking - so blue and clear, and shrouded by beaches and evergreens. If you do want a kayak rental, make sure to book them early :)

    Maria W.

    On our way to Hoh Rainforest, my friend and I stopped here. The views were beautiful. The lake is vastly huge. I wasn't expecting it to look as good with the thick fog shadowing the mountains in the back drop. The visit was short, but well worth it. Parking lot off of the highway to see scenic views. The overcast helped the mountains look mysterious. I loved this pitstop.

    Sunrise
    Travis T.

    I was able to drive by this amazing lake on a few occasions going from Forks to Port Angeles and back on my recent trip to Washington. At 12 miles long, Lake Crescent is a pretty large lake. It is also the second deepest lake in the state of Washington at a depth of 624 feet. Lake Crescent is part of Olympic National Park. There are a number of pullouts along U.S. Highway 101 that you can stop and enjoy the views of this pretty lake. I really wanted to do some kayaking on Lake Crescent while I was on my trip. But because of time, I wasn't able to fit it in my schedule. There are a number of recreational activities that you can do on or near this lake including boating, fishing, hiking and enjoying the picnic areas. Fishing has a catch-and-release policy for certain fish. Near Lake Crescent is Fairholme campground if you want to do some camping by the lake. I personally enjoyed the hike to Marymere Falls that starts next to the Storm King Ranger Station. My favorite thing to do while I was passing by Lake Crescent was to just pull over and enjoy the view. The clear blue water with the sunset in the background made for some amazing photos.

    Hannah S.

    I stumbled upon this dramatic lake on my way to an early morning hike - what a find! Mount Storm King keeps watch over the insanely deep, crystal clear waters which are surrounded by pine-covered, snowy mountains and all that magnificently moody PNW weather - superb! The lake sits right inside one of the northern entrances to Olympic National Park. I passed by it on my way to the Marymere Falls trailhead and definitely had to pull over and check it out - there are lots of easily accessible turn outs with great views. A bonus treat was that you can also access the lake around the Marymere Falls trailhead and parking too bc it's all sort of in the same general area with restrooms and a long pier that takes you right out into the lake. You get views of the lake everywhere so you can't miss it. This lake was carved by glaciers thousands of years ago and is crazy deep - measuring 624 feet deep at its max depth point. And you can tell just by looking down into those clear waters - even just peeking over the pier involuntarily triggered my fear of heights haha! The water is so clear bc of low nitrogen levels inhibiting algae growth. You can swim here but it's glacially fed so the water is very cold - be aware. I visited in winter so definitely not an option but would love to come back in warmer months and give it a try just to see how cold it gets lol. You can see lots of boulders and giant trees in the bottom - would be such an intriguing place to snorkel! Another fun fact - bc a landslide closed off the lake to streams and other nearby lakes, there are two unique species of trout that have evolved here! There's a lodge on the lake that rents canoes/kayaks and swimming in the "Devils Punchbowl" is popular - definitely would love to come back and try that haha! Very much worth a visit and I will no doubt return to explore - highly recommend a stop at this true Pacific Northwest beauty!

    K G.

    Lake Cresent is located in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains and is about 18 miles west of Port Angeles. The pristine waters of this deep, glacially carved lake make it an ideal destination for those in search of natural beauty. There is a peaceful feel to the area that puts your soul at rest. Canoeing is one of the common activities to do while at Lake Cresent to soak in the stunning views. There are several hiking trails near the lake. Some of them are shorter and some like Mount Storm King are more challenging due to the incline. Whether you hike or go canoeing, the views all around you are spectacular. You can also go out on a rowboat as well. There are plenty of picnic areas around the lake if you want to have a picnic or lunch and soak in the stunning views!

    Wildlife at Lake Crescent
    Alyssa A.

    Lake Crescent is absolutely GORGEOUS. You can see it from the main highway as you're driving through Olympic NP. And while that view is beautiful, you need to plan part of your day around the lake to really enjoy its natural beauty. We stayed at the Fairholme campgrounds, and it was a short couple minute walk from our campsite to the lake edge. It was so peaceful to sit and enjoy, especially if you're there for sunrise. The Lake Crescent Lodge is also at the water's edge. We saw people swimming from there, and they also have a bar with some outdoor seating facing the lake. There are also some wonderful hikes originating from there that really showcase the lake. If you're feeling spicy and up for a strenuous hike (think a step climb the entire way of about 2,1000 feet), the Storm King hike is rough and involves some rope climbs. However, once you make it to the top, you'll be more than 2,000 feet over Lake Crescent and the view is unparalleled. Words (and pictures) do not do it justice. While we didn't do it, I did hear that there is about an 8 mile easy hike that walks the circumference of the lake if you want to enjoy it that way. However you choose to take in Lake Crescent, it is well worth the time spent.

    Diem N.

    100% yes!!! This place is so breathtaking. I had so much fun. The water was so clear . We got luck with perfect weather

    Amanda M.

    Beautiful and clear lake Of the weather is nice I recommend renting a kayak to explore. There is a dock by the lodge where you can walk out into the water. When you look down you can see to the bottom. The lake is surrounded by mountains. It is very peaceful and serene with little tourism to obstruct the view.

    Joyce T.

    It's a beautiful lake with water in the right temperature, not too cold but good enough to cooling off in the 90+ hot summer days. The view is gorgeous and water is clear. There's a lodge nearby which's great to visit the bar and souvenir shop and use the washroom

    That's the water's natural color!
    Courtney L.

    Lake Crescent wins for being the most stunning body of water that I've ever seen in person! Have you ever looked at a photo and wondered if the image has been enhanced to make the colors pop? Well, there's no need to Photoshop pictures of this lake! The water is super clear and the most gorgeous color of natural blue-green. A couple minutes drive from the Lake Crescent Lodge, there's a boat launch area near the Marymere Falls trailhead. While you wouldn't set your towels and chairs out in this area, it's well worth stopping by for a lovely view of the lake away from most other visitors. On a weekday morning, except for a couple of swimmers jumping from the dock, we were the only ones there. We spent a few moments admiring the glistening water and listening to the gentle waves. After this, we headed over to the side of the Lake Crescent Lodge. This is a super busy area, especially since it's where all the little cabins are located. Despite the crowds on the shoreline, this is a prime place to capture photos of the calm water with hills of trees in the background. We did not have a ton of time, so we walked the "Moments in Time" trail, which is just a 0.6 mile loop starting adjacent to the lake and going through the forest. Little plaques are posted along the path, providing history behind the land and facts about the trees and wildlife. This is a really tame walk that is suitable for any age. There are restrooms located inside the lodge, but they are small, so expect a wait. The lodge also has a restaurant, gift shop and little sitting area. If you're planning to be around Port Angeles, definitely put Lake Crescent on your itinerary!

    Brian F.

    Lake Crescent is located in Olympic National Park about 20 minutes from Port Angeles. It has a max depth of 624 feet and is the second deepest lake in Washington State (behind Lake Chelan). Even if you don't go to the lake you'll most likely drive by it to get elsewhere because it's so gigantic. To get to the lake, drive down a long narrow road. There are parking lots and restrooms at the trailhead and is about a mile to the lake. It was less of a hike and more of a stroll because the ground was mostly paved and flat. This hike was actually wheelchair accessible which was rare for me to see. When you get to a tunnel, go to the left to walk to the lake and you'll end up on a bridge that overlooks the lake. The water was BLUE and CLEAR. There were beautiful views of the lake and there were very few people which was peaceful. It made for a great backdrop for photos and I was just staring at it because it was so mesmerizing. As we looped back around we found that you can still go through the tunnel and get to the lake too. If you want, you can even continue walking to go further past the lake. If you want to play in the lake you can head to Devils Punch Bowl to swim and do other water activities. It's seriously such a beautiful place and I highly recommend coming here!

    Lake Crescent - Olympic National Park
    John D.

    Lake Me Out Amazing Lake that's located in the north end of Olympic National Park and just a short drive from Port Angeles. We only stopped at one of the lookouts to gaze at its beauty when Mr & Mrs Quack flew over to greet us. They posed for a few pics and moved on shortly afterward since we had no goodies for them. Beyond the friendly natives, this Lake has boat launches at the east and west ends of the lake, where vacationers can launch kayaks, boats or even rent rowboat from the Lake Crescent Lodge. There's also beaches and picnic tables for those who prefer to stay landside. We can't wait to check out more of this beautiful Lake on subsequent visits, as well as catch up with the Quacks. Say hi for us if you see them!

    Lake Crescent

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 7
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ania K.
    2878
    1032
    11364

    3 months ago

    Helpful 39
    Thanks 18
    Love this 37
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lorena C.
    245
    13
    31

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria W.
    346
    1347
    5503

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hannah S.
    656
    1153
    24895

    2 years ago

    Helpful 35
    Thanks 10
    Love this 35
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K G.
    1038
    627
    1773

    2 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 6
    Love this 28
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joyce T.
    102
    1357
    6489

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 39
    Thanks 4
    Love this 46
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 26
    Thanks 0
    Love this 26
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim R.
    183
    1166
    3217

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amber E.
    747
    3034
    6867

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Beautiful! But they were working loudly in the front of building power washing. Love the bike path around lake and cottages looked so cute.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Henry L.
    493
    1056
    6383

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sheri H.
    368
    3089
    4111

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tammy E.
    473
    3562
    5293

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Lake Crescent

    Review Highlights - Lake Crescent

    Definitely a place to check out when going to Olympic National Park, or are even in the general area of Washington State.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Hurricane Ridge - Saw Mt. Baker on the way to Hurricane Ridge

    Hurricane Ridge

    4.6(110 reviews)
    16.8 mi

    There is parking up on the Ridge. So that was great. The hike can be easy or hard. You can choose…read moreto go up the hills or down the hills. It was cool and we had a nice breeze. The views are beautiful, it's a National Park so Veterans and military retirees get in Free! I recommend going early because when we left there was about 50 cars waiting to get in!

    Let's start with positive: Well-maintained road driving up and walking trails, lots of parking,…read moreplenty of beautiful pine trees. Unless you have a PERFECTLY clear day and detailed maps/directions, guides; I would recommend some other locations in Olympic National Park (listed towards the bottom of my review). The fog was SO dense up there, you could barely see 200 feet in front of you, if that. The only map/signs were at the bottom of the hill where the parking lot meets the start of the trail. There was no signs on any of the trails and the maps at the bottom weren't particularly helpful. There was also no mention of the lodge being non-existent before we drove up. There was a lot of construction around, which you could hear. Most exciting thing we saw was the deer that was only 5 feet away! I would go to these locations instead: 1. Kalaloch Lodge/Ruby Beach & beaches, 2. Lake Quinault, 3. Hoh Rainforest, 4. Sol Duc Falls trail.

    Photos
    Hurricane Ridge - Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Hurricane Ridge - Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Hurricane Ridge - Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    See all

    Klahhane Ridge Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Olympic National Park - Rime ice along the trails! I love how sharply geometric is looks - reminds me of the Fortress of Solitude from Superman LOL! (Jan 2025)

    Olympic National Park

    4.8(214 reviews)
    16.8 mi

    1. This review is for Marymere Falls Trail which was a ~1.8 miles round trip that took ~1 hour to…read morecomplete. This was short and easy hike with a spectacular rainforest and waterfall in Olympic National Park, Washington. Trail was mostly a flat dirt path that becomes an incline up the stairs towards the waterfall. If you're used to Oregon waterfalls, Marymere Falls would be considered somewhat dry. Make a detour to the Lake Crescent docks for some stunning views! Beware of yellowjackets; randomly got stung near the ankle in the forest. Limited parking area at the trailhead. Restroom available at the parking lot. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/FPgMOt1G5tk 2.This review is for Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge which was a ~3.5 miles round trip that took ~2 hour to complete. Located 1 hour from Marymere Falls Trail, Hurricane Hill was a strenuous hike with stunning views of the surrounding mountains in Olympic National Park, Washington. Trail was mostly paved with steep inclines towards the top with little to no shade. Parking can be a nightmare. Small parking lot at the trailhead; additional small parking lot 0.25 miles away and larger parking lot 1+ miles away. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/0bxivXIqy4A

    Olympic NP is very diverse, you get the mountain ranges on the north side, the lush rainforest in…read morethe southwest and the classic PNW coastline all in one park. We actually enjoyed some of the less crowded spots more than the main attractions. Parking can be very limited, so it's worth it to arrive very early, especially during peak season. Since there isn't a road cutting through the park, plan your accommodations accordingly to reduce driving each day. The dinning options are subpar in the area, and businesses close very early. It's a good idea to plan your meals ahead of time and have snacks on hand.

    Photos
    Olympic National Park - Rime ice along the trails! I love how sharply geometric is looks - reminds me of the Fortress of Solitude from Superman LOL! (Jan 2025)

    Rime ice along the trails! I love how sharply geometric is looks - reminds me of the Fortress of Solitude from Superman LOL! (Jan 2025)

    Olympic National Park - This is hair ice!!! It's actually quite rare and has been so interesting to see it all over the trails! (Jan 2025)

    This is hair ice!!! It's actually quite rare and has been so interesting to see it all over the trails! (Jan 2025)

    Olympic National Park - Storm King

    See all

    Storm King

    Heart O' The Hills Campground - Heart o the Hills Campground

    Heart O' The Hills Campground

    4.6(7 reviews)
    16.8 mi

    Beautiful campground so close to town, yet feels very secluded. We drove through each loop multiple…read moretimes searching out a spot. Best suited to tent camping as a majority of the sites have shorter paved drives that are quite uneven. Would definitely be hard for longer rigs. First come only, and to get your site you must either log into the system (with limited cell service) or write your entire credit card info onto the form and leave it to be processed...no cash. Not so much a fan of that notion. We took the Heart o the Forest trail available from the top loop, although we didn't take it to the end. An out & back, narrow, with lovely trees. Overall a nice forested campground, with loads of sites of varied shapes and sizes and levels of privacy.

    On our tour of the Olympic Peninsula this was our first stop. It made for a great first night and…read moreis just outside of Port Angeles. We arrived late on a weekday night after working a full day on the Eastside. This campground is first come first serve so we couldn't really plan ahead and had to hope there would still be something available. Even though we arrived only a few hours before dark we were able to find a really nice campsite nestled in the woods. There are several loops with nice sized camp sites for both tent and Rv camping. We found a lovely private site that was clean and free of litter and well maintained of debris. Each site is surrounded by gorgeous trees for privacy, mossy rocks, and peaceful forest views. After getting set up we enjoyed a restful and quiet night. The bathrooms were well maintained and there was also water for cleaning our dishes. Each loop seemed to have its own bathroom and garbage sites which was super convenient. We saw several deer, birds, and other little critters on our brief night's stay and look forward to coming back to visit them soon.

    Photos
    Heart O' The Hills Campground - Heart o the Hills Campground

    Heart o the Hills Campground

    Heart O' The Hills Campground - Heart o the Hills Campground

    Heart o the Hills Campground

    Heart O' The Hills Campground - Heart o the Hills - campground trail

    See all

    Heart o the Hills - campground trail

    City Pier - Female Surf Scoter coming in for a splash landing off the pier - ten out of ten!! LOL!!

    City Pier

    4.1(23 reviews)
    17.3 mi

    Located on the waterfront. Port Angeles as a whole does a poor job in profiting off of the tourism…read moreas a small town / city; it needs to learn from Colorado and Banff on how to spruce up your streets to be more friendly and encourage tourists to spend more money on shops and food. There was a decent homeless population hanging out along the beach and we didn't feel the most safe while walking around outside of the two main streets.

    The pier is definitely worth a stroll if you're in the downtown area. There are tons of waterfowl…read moreso it's great for all you birders out there - and you'll get beautiful views of the inner harbor and the Olympic mountains. Apparently the fishing is really great too and the pier is well suited to it. It's located in the heart of downtown on the waterfront near most of PA's shops and restaurants. It's right next to the Wharf which is also worth a visit as it has restaurants and art galleries. There's a map of the historic waterfront trail near the entrance to Hollywood Beach which is also right off to the right of the pier and a nice stroll too. Theres a Marine Science Center which is probably really fun for the kids (was closed when I visited). Alongside the pier there's seating and a covered stage - the city holds a "Concerts on the Pier" series Wednesday nights in the summer. And the pier and stage can even be rented for public events! There's a small-ish parking lot right at the entrance with free, timed parking. But there can be some shady characters milling around in that area so I would recommend keeping an eye on your vehicle and don't leave anything valuable inside.

    Photos
    City Pier - Female Surf Scoter coming in for a splash landing off the pier - ten out of ten!! LOL!!

    Female Surf Scoter coming in for a splash landing off the pier - ten out of ten!! LOL!!

    City Pier - Views of the Wharf from the pier

    Views of the Wharf from the pier

    City Pier - Yikes! Don't think I'd swim at the beach then lol

    See all

    Yikes! Don't think I'd swim at the beach then lol

    Adventures Through Kayaking

    Adventures Through Kayaking

    4.8(47 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    Originally booked the 130pm half day sea kayaking tour online. Received a call the next day saying…read morethe 130pm tour was already full for the next few days (not sure why it let me book online then). But luckily I was able to be flexible and switch to the morning tour (they gave me a day's notice). The staff on the phone said it would be much less windy anyway...which definitely turned out to be true and I was so glad for it bc it would've been chilly otherwise! They're doing great on the Covid safety measures as much as possible. Instead of parking at the office and riding a bus to the bay, they just have you either follow the guide in his vehicle with the kayaks or give you an address/coordinates for your gps. It was easy to keep up with our guide. Everyone wore masks until we got into our own individual kayaks. Very easy to practice social distancing in this setting! The office was very easy to find, right off the highway and even has a winery right next door (and was highly recommended by the host at my inn). Plenty of parking everywhere we went. After a brief safety talk and bit of equipment orientation, we launched from a rocky beach in Freshwater Bay and went out into the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. It was absolutely gorgeous weather - sunny and calm and a perfect temperature. The water was insanely clear! We saw jellyfish and kelp crabs and all manner of birds! We even sampled a little bit of the kelp haha! Our guide, Chris, was so knowledgeable and he made the tour interesting and really fun! There's even a little cave you can swoop through if you have one of the smaller kayaks! I highly recommend you bring sturdy water shoes and waterproof camera!

    Absolutely amazing! We kayaked on Lake Crescent and had the best time. Everyone at the shop was so…read morekind getting us ready. Our guide was so much fun and very knowledgeable about the area. Kayaking Lake Crescent was the highlight of our trip! We saw bald eagles, lots of birds, baby geese, and baby ducks!

    Photos
    Adventures Through Kayaking
    Adventures Through Kayaking
    Adventures Through Kayaking

    See all

    Lake Crescent - hiking - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...