Seattle Area Van/Camping: Lake Crescent/Fairholme Campground, Olympic Natl Park

Hello Van/Camping Enthusiasts!
Let's visit Crescent Lake/Fairholme Campground in the Olympic National Park July 17-19. This park is about 30 minutes west/a 40 minute drive from Port Angeles. Please get your reservations in the "B" area, you will need to get an account/log into recreation.gov account your reservations at 7 a.m. Saturday January 17th. **RESERVATION UPDATE: Mary has been watching the reservations, and folks are logging in early the week before the weekend and securing 5 nights to cover the weekend. We suggest that you do this if you can (Tues. Jan 13th), and then cancel Tues-Thurs., there shouldn't be a charge as long as you follow the cancellation procedure.***

Fairholme Campground sits on the northern shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, surrounded by towering old‑growth forest and the deep blue waters of this glacially carved lake. The campground features about 84 sites, including both drive‑in spots and walk‑in lakeside sites, each with a campfire ring and picnic table, set in a peaceful, moss‑draped woodland that thrives on the area’s frequent rainfall. Fairholme’s unique position offers direct access to the Lake Crescent boat launch, making paddling and boating effortless, and it’s a perfect base for both mellow waterside activities and big mountain adventures. While there are no RV hookups, a water fill station and septic dump are located near the boat launch for camper convenience. The campground’s reservation season runs May through September 2026. Fairholme is a gateway to the rest of Olympic National Park’s dramatic landscapes.

Top 5 Hikes Nearby--Note that dogs aren't allowed on National Park Trails:

1. Marymere Falls Trail – A classic ~1.8 mi loop through old‑growth forest to a 90‑ft waterfall. WTA
2. Mount Storm King Trail – A strenuous ~4 mi hike with panoramic views of Lake Crescent and the Olympic peaks. WTA
3. Spruce Railroad Trail – A scenic ~4 mi lakeshore rail‑trail with historic tunnels and water views. Wikipedia
4. Barnes Creek Trail – A longer trek extending beyond Marymere into backcountry forest terrain. The Mountaineers
5. Moments‑in‑Time Trail – A gentle nature loop perfect for a relaxed stroll and lake vistas. olympicnationalparks.com

Together, these hikes offer a mix of easy forest walks, dramatic waterfalls, historic paths, and challenging mountain summits for all skill levels during this summer meetup.

Event/Reservation Details:

• Please reserve in area B on January 17th, see details near link below. Sites do not have electricity. Remember this will be summer time, look for sites with shade if you need it.
• Fees: $48 for two nights. Booking one night is allowed.
• Bathrooms/shower: Bathrooms only
• Electrical/water hookups: No
• Pets: Allowed in campsites but NOT on National Park Trails (please leash/control at ALL times)
• Activities: we'll have nightly campfires/BYO food and firewood if there isn't a fire ban, and van show and tells. Saturday midday we can hike, boat, relax and/or enjoy the beauty of the Olympic National Park. Port Angeles is pretty far away (40 min. drive) so visits may be better done during your drive there or back.
• Getting there: You will likely need to take a ferry to the Olympic Peninsula and the park is 30 miles west of Port Angeles and about a 2 hour drive from the Kingston ferry terminal.
• Reservation Link--please reserve in the B area, any sites in this area. You will need to make an account and log in at 7:00 a.m. Saturday January 17th for the best chance to get a spot. **RESERVATION UPDATE: Mary has been watching the reservations, and folks are logging in early the week before the weekend and securing 5 nights to cover the weekend. We suggest that you do this if you can (Tues. Jan 13th), and then cancel Tues-Thurs., there shouldn't be a charge as long as you follow the cancellation procedure.*** This campground is very popular. More sites will open up later if you don't want to commit now, but competition may be worse. National Parks have fairly good cancellation refunds.

**Questions about how our events work or how to book a campsite? Check out the "how to" on the group description and PM Mary/group organizer with any questions.**
Note: I copied this event from an old event and I'm unable to change the map right now. Be sure to put the campground into your GPS and don't use the Meetup address.