For many, Lake Crescent Lodge remains one of the undiscovered treasures of America's national park system. Located on the south shore of scenic Lake Crescent along the northern border of Olympic National Park, this is a lodge made for relaxing. Unlike some of our more famous national park lodges, Lake Crescent Lodge boasts a notable dearth of daytrippers roaming the lobby, gift shop, and grounds. It is generally just you and fellow overnight guests who will be savoring a stay at one of our favorite national park lodges. A major activity (or, perhaps, inactivity) is taking it easy in Adirondack chairs beside the lake while reading, talking with other guests, or simply admiring scenic Storm King Mountain. This perhaps best illustrates the relaxing nature of a stay here.

The lodging complex at Lake Crescent consists of the historic lodge

For many, Lake Crescent Lodge remains one of the undiscovered treasures of America's national park system. Located on the south shore of scenic Lake Crescent along the northern border of Olympic National Park, this is a lodge made for relaxing. Unlike some of our more famous national park lodges, Lake Crescent Lodge boasts a notable dearth of daytrippers roaming the lobby, gift shop, and grounds. It is generally just you and fellow overnight guests who will be savoring a stay at one of our favorite national park lodges. A major activity (or, perhaps, inactivity) is taking it easy in Adirondack chairs beside the lake while reading, talking with other guests, or simply admiring scenic Storm King Mountain. This perhaps best illustrates the relaxing nature of a stay here.

The lodging complex at Lake Crescent consists of the historic lodge that once served as a tavern, plus a series of cabins and several motel-type buildings that contain nearly all of the guestrooms. Most guestrooms in each of the buildings offer a view of the lake. The main lodge has just five guestrooms, all upstairs, and none with a private bath, but we find there is always something special about staying in the main lodge. Each room offers great lake views. Roosevelt Fireplace Cottages, constructed in the late 1940s, sit on the shore of Lake Crescent and are the top choice here. Unfortunately, these four cottages are nearly always reserved well ahead of time. Reconstructed Singer Tavern Cottages, adjacent to the lodge, have either one or two bedrooms and are virtually identical to historic cabins that were torn down in the 1980s. These are probably the second best choice of rooms at the lodge.

Three motel-type buildings within walking distance of the lodge house motorlodge rooms. Two of these units, Storm King Motor Lodge and Pyramid Mountain Lodge, are each two stories, while one-story Marymere is a cement block and wood building near the lake. While you can't go wrong with a room in any of the three buildings, Marymere is probably the best choice among the motel-style buildings.

Staying in Lake Crescent Lodge is likely to be such an enjoyable experience that you will almost certainly want to return. The peacefulness is unmatched and the setting on Lake Crescent is nearly perfect. A hiking trail through the forest begins near the lodge and rowboats are available for rent from the nearby dock.

You might also want to consider a stay at one of Olympic National Park's other lodges. Log Cabin Resort is on the north side of Lake Crescent, while Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, a short distance down Highway 101, offers nice cabins where guests can soak in nearby mineral baths. Kalaloch Lodge, directly on the park's primitive Pacific coastline, is a great stop for individuals who enjoy walking the beach.

David L. Scott and Kay W. Scott are the authors of The Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges. For more information about national-park lodges, visit their website.