Lake Crescent
Lake Deep glacial lake in Olympic National Park
Inside Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent is a deep glacial lake with forested shores; visitors come for kayaking, lakeside trails, and the historic lakefront lodge.
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Lake Crescent is a deep, glacially carved lake on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, within Olympic National Park. It is noted for very clear water and significant depth, with a maximum depth of roughly 624 feet (190 metres).
The area around the lake offers hiking trails such as the short trail to Marymere Falls, picnicking and canoeing, and the historic Lake Crescent Lodge provides lodging and visitor services on the shore. The lake has several established boat launches and picnic areas.
The lake formed through glacial scouring during the last ice ages; a large prehistoric landslide on one side of the lake has been cited by geologists as influencing the lake’s drainage and ecology. Over the 20th century the lakeshore saw development of lodge facilities and park infrastructure.
Lake Crescent sits on the northern side of the Olympic Mountains within Olympic National Park, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington. The town of Port Angeles and the U.S. Highway corridors that serve the park are the nearest major access points.
- Depth: Maximum depth is about 624 feet (190 metres), making it one of the deepest lakes in Washington State.
- Visitor access: The Marymere Falls trail and several boat launch sites are established visitor access points on the lake's shoreline.
How to Get to Lake Crescent #
From Port Angeles: drive west on US-101 about 17 miles to the Lake Crescent junction; turn south onto Lake Crescent Road. From Seattle, expect a 2.5-3 hour drive depending on traffic and the ferry schedule. Public transit is limited; most visitors arrive by car.
Tips for Visiting Lake Crescent #
- Visit early in the morning for calm water and better reflections; late afternoons can see the wind pick up.
- If staying overnight, the historic Lake Crescent Lodge offers lakeside accommodations and meals - book well in advance in summer.
- Explore short hikes off the main road: Marymere Falls and the Spruce Railroad Trail offer distinct perspectives of the lake's old-growth surroundings.
Best Time to Visit Lake Crescent #
Best in summer for full access and warm weather; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and excellent light for photography.
Weather & Climate near Lake Crescent #
Lake Crescent's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1979 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (300 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (228 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (198 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (187 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (303 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (329 mm).
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