Hike the Great Outdoors
Lake Crescent offers many hiking trails, some involve climbing the surrounding mountains and others will have you exploring the lowland forests and creeks.
The self-guided Marymere Falls Hiking Trail is 3/4 of a mile from the Storm King Ranger Station. The 90-foot drop from Falls Creek into a small plunge pool is a fairly flat hike through old growth forest, except for the final approach, which is fairly steep. This trail is generally available for year-round views.
What you will see: Old growth forest and 90 ft. waterfall.
Distance: 0.9 mile one-way
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
The self-guided Fairholme Campground Loop Hiking Trail has entrances at the top of Loop B and the campground access road. Starting at Fairholme Store, you can continue on down the Camp David Junior Road on the north side of Lake Crescent from Fairholme to hook up with the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Spruce Railroad Trail, which takes you near a couple of train tunnels. On a clear day in this area you can look deep into the pristine lake and make out the shadows of a train engine that fell into the lake many years ago.
What you will see: Old growth forest.
Distance: 0.8-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
The Moments-in-Time Hiking Trail is a self-guided nature trail that runs through forest and by the lake, and is accessible with assistance. This hike is an easy 0.5-mile trail that meanders through the woods and along the shoreline of Lake Crescent offering a variety of environments from breathtaking views of Lake Crescent and Pyramid Mountain to tiny fern and wildflower meadows to lush woods with towering evergreens and spectacular mosses and fungi. Appropriate for the entire family, it begins just off the parking area of the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park.
What you will see: Old growth forest, lake views, and wildlife.
Distance: 0.6-mile loop
Elevation Gain: None
More Self-Guided Hiking Trails:
| Mt. Storm King - Steep switchbacks climb part way up Mt. Storm King. | Distance: 2.2 miles one-way | Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft |
| Spruce Railroad - Hugs the north shore of Lake Crescent along an old railroad bed. | Distance: 4 miles one-way | Elevation Gain: 100 ft |
| Pyramid Peak - Climbs steeply to a World War II spotting tower with views of the lake. | Distance: 3.5 miles one-way | Elevation Gain: 2,600 ft |
| Aurora Creek - Climbs steeply up rocky terrain through old growth forest to Aurora Ridge. | Distance: 3.4 miles one-way | Elevation Gain: 3,220 ft |
| Barnes Creek - Climbs up to Aurora Ridge through old growth forest, only first 4 miles maintained, small ford 1.5 miles in. | Distance: 7.5 miles one-way | Elevation Gain: 4,200 ft |