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Area Activities
Rowboat, Kayak, and Canoe
From 7:00am to dusk, weather permitting, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are available for rent at the Lake Crescent Lodge. Kayak rentals are available at our Fairholme Store and marina from 9:00am to 6:00pm, weather permitting.
Employees may use rowboats, kayaks and canoes free of charge when available.
Trails Accessible from Lake Crescent Lodge
Marymere Falls Trail
A short and easy access trail will take you to this four-star waterfall which has been a favorite with families for generations. The trail, through old-growth forest, is wide and level for 0.75 mile before crossing Barnes Creek and starting up the ridge alongside the falls.
Start From: Lake Crescent Lodge. Head south across the meadow and Lake Crescent Road. The trailhead is just beyond
Lake Crescent Road.
Length: 2 miles Duration: 1-1/2 hours
Elevation Gain: 400 feet Season: Year-round
Trail Type: Out-and-back Trailhead Elevation: 300 feet
Barnes Creek Trail
The Barnes Creek Trail starts at the point where the trail to Marymere Falls turns right to go over a footbridge; look for a brown marker.
Follow this trail into a lonely valley coveted by those seeking solitude and old-growth splendor. You’ll cross three log footbridges and a few small streams. The Trail dead ends after 3.5 miles, where you will see a sign. For a longer hike, continue on the Aurora Ridge Trail, a 16-mile trail that links Lake Crescent with Sol Duc.
Start From: From Lake Crescent, follow the Marymere Falls Trail
Length: 7 total miles, round-trip Season: Year-round
Elevation Gain: 800 feet Trailhead Elevation: 550 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-Back or link to Aurora Ridge Trail Top Elevation: 1,300 feet
Skill Level: Moderately strenuous
Moments in Time Trail Loop
This loop trail offers woodsy views of the lake and winds through old-growth forest and former homestead sites. It is located between Olympic Park Institute and Lake Crescent Lodge. A 1/3 mile trail extends from Storm King Ranger Station parking lot.
Start From: Lake Crescent in front of the Lodge
Length: 0 .6 miles Skill Level: Easy
Elevation Gain: None Season: Year-round
Trail Type: Loop
Mount Storm King Trail
Huff and puff up a short steep trail to an eagle’s-eye view of Lake Crescent. From a vertigo-inducing aerie peer straight down to the deepblue waters of one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most famous landmarks. Aside from knocking the wind out of unconditioned hikers, this trail can be dangerous because of its exposed ledges. Keep an eye on children and avoid this trip during bad weather.
Start From: Lake Crescent
Length: 3.4 total miles Season: April to November
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Trailhead Elevation: 600 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-back Top Elevation: 4.534 feet
Skill Level: Moderate to strenuous
Other Local Area Trails of Interest
Elwha River Trail
A hike along the mighty Elwha River is a trip into the very heart of the Olympic Peninsula. From its remote point of origin on the rugged southern slopes of Mount Barnes, practically at the exact center of the national park, the Elwha flows 45 miles to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, draining over 300 square miles of surrounding wilderness and passing through one of the largest tracts of old growth left in America. But you don’t need to travel far to experience this historic and wildlife-rich river valley. The hike to Lillian River, one of the Elwha’s major tributaries, will suffice.
Start From: From the Elwha Entrance to Olympic National Park, drive to Whiskey Bend
Length: 9.6 total miles Season: Year-round
Elevation Gain: 700 feet Trailhead Elevation: 1,200 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-back Top Elevation: 1,600 feet
Skill Level: Moderate
Spruce Railroad Trail
This historic railroad grade with ruined tunnels offers children a level lakeshore walk, a swim, a chance to examine the entrances to two tunnels, and the opportunity to look down from a bridge into the Devil’s Punchbowl. The Spruce Railroad was built by the U.S. government to carry out spruce for World War I airplane wings. The war ended before any spruce was carried, but the tracks did carry carloads of logs and workers on the Port Angeles Western Railroad along the lake’s north shore until the 1950s. Old-timers tell of cross ties made of alder and maple, which quickly rotted (explaining the nickname “The P. A. Wobbly”), and of the sunken locomotive resting in one of the coves.
Another legend has it that train employees ate fruit as they traveled, and where they tossed apple cores and cherry pits out the windows, fruit trees stand today.
Start From: Trailhead off East Beach Road
Length: 8.2 total miles Duration: Day hike
Elevation Gain: 50 feet Season: Year round
Trail Type: Out-and-back Trailhead Elevation: 600 feet
Skill Level: Moderate for children Top Elevation: 650 feet
Pyramid Peak Trail
A 3.5-mile day hike takes you to the summit of Pyramid Peak. This trail makes a steady ascent of a minor peak on the northern boundary of the park, with views of both Lake Crescent and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Cougars are occasionally sighted on the dry slopes of the mountain. The trek begins by ascending gradually out of the cedar-dominated valley bottom and onto the drier slopes above. Here a mixed forest of Douglas fir and big leaf maple is underlain by Oregon grape and salal. Early openings in the trees offer views of Lake Crescent and
Aurora Ridge beyond.
Start From: Camp David Road, off Route 101, just after Fairholme General Store
Length: 7 total miles Season: Late May to mid-October
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet Trailhead Elevation: 600 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-back Top Elevation: 3,050 feet
Skill Level: Moderately Strenuous
