Lake Crescent, Fairholme Beach

The stunning blue waters of Lake Crescent are an iconic symbol of the beauty and purity of Olympic National Park. Officially the second deepest lake in Washington, unofficial depth measurements are closer to 1,000 feet (still a safe second to Washington's Lake Chelan, at 1,486 feet). Flanked to the south by Highway 101 and to the north by the Spruce Railroad/Olympic Discovery Trail, Lake Crescent is also incredibly accessible. Fairholme Beach, located on the lake's western tip at the junction of Highway 101 and Camp David Jr. Road, is a modest yet popular choice for easy, family-friendly access to this beautiful lake.

Because it is on the west end of the lake, Fairholm Beach is ideal for long, sunny days on the water. Light afternoon breezes coming off the lake can help you keep your cool, and the surrounding trees can also offer some shade. A modest day use area lies under the trees, and the adjacent Fairholme Campground is available for bathrooms and water. Best of all, you can rent canoes and kayaks from the Fairholme General Store and Cafe. Two docks extend into the lake and are perfect for launching small personal watercraft, and these docks help frame a safe swimming area along with a string of logs directly east of the beach that acts as a windbreak.