REVIEW: Log Cabin Resort at Lake Crescent (Relaxing & Fun!)

Considering a stay at Log Cabin Resort at Lake Crescent?

We’ve RV-camped here three times and enjoy the resort’s summer camp vibes. There’s no better way to start my day than waking up to the sounds of wildlife, drinking coffee on the shoreline, and soaking in serene lake views.

This review shares all you need to know about staying here, including how we spend our time at the resort and why it’s an incredible home base for adventuring.

Want to know about nearby activities in Olympic National Park? I’ve got you covered there, too!

I LOVE coming here for five reasons:
1. Gorgeous lake and mountain views
2. Plentiful open grassy areas for lounging by the water
3. On-site boat rentals for Lake Crescent kayaking
4. Proximity to my favorite Lake Crescent trails and other park destinations
5. Convenient on-site restaurant and general store

Log Cabin Resort RV & Campground: Overview

View from Log Cabin Resort, Lake Crescent, from the shoreline under a cloudy sky, with a kayaker on the water. The feet of the person taking this photo are in the foreground. — Me relaxing on the campground’s shoreline

This relaxed resort is on the northeast side of Lake Crescent, roughly 17 miles from Port Angeles. It’s open from mid-May through the end of September.

It offers family and pet-friendly cabins (some are more basic than others), A-frame lakeside chalets, and comfortable lodge rooms. The campground offers full hook-up RV sites and tent camping sites.

If you’re seeking luxury accommodations and a fine dining restaurant, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re looking for a casual summer retreat to unwind by the water, Log Cabin Resort at Olympic National Park is perfect.

NOTE: Lake Crescent Lodge is more upscale, but I prefer the open lakeshore grounds at Log Cabin Resort. It’s also further away from the crowds and gets more sun. ☀️

In a section below, I share exactly how we relax and enjoy our time here.

Accommodations

Cabins

The resort’s newest two-bedroom cabins, referred to as Rustic Cabins on the map, are on the property’s highest point and offer breathtaking lake and mountain views. You can book one with or without a kitchenette.

The Camper Cabins are much more basic – like glamping – but closer to the lake. They’re connected to the resort’s electricity but don’t have a private bathroom or kitchenette. Guests use the communal bathrooms and showers close by.

Camper Cabins are the only pet-friendly accommodation option.

Row of rustic log cabins in Olympic National Park with green roofs and trims, surrounded by lush evergreen trees under a clear sky. — Some of the Rustic Cabins are ADA accessible. Photo credit Zhao Dong

Lakeside Chalets

These waterfront units with an upstairs loft feature an open plan set-up, so the only space walled off is the bathroom. All chalet units are connected as one building structure, each with a mini-fridge and microwave.

Lodge Rooms

Lodge rooms offer fantastic waterfront views and a mini-fridge and microwave.

Campground

Some but not all RV sites are next to the water. I always book a spot early, in January, and request a site with water views.

Despite surrounding old growth cedars and Doug fir trees, the campground doesn’t offer much privacy, especially if you’re tent camping. Of course, the trade-off is camping while still enjoying the amenities of a resort.

Resort Amenities

Restaurant – Sunnyside Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu includes American comfort food such as pizza, fish and chips, burgers, and sandwiches. The cafe serves beer on tap, including my all-time favorite, Silver City’s Tropic Haze IPA.
Picnic area – Guests can gather at the waterfront picnic tables for a fantastic eating and lounging spot.
Fire ring – This communal fire pit is close to the lake and main lodge. The gift shop sells everything you’ll need for smores.
Boat house – You can rent kayaks, boats, and paddleboards at the boat house next to the day-use parking lot.
Comfort Station – The comfort station, close to the camper cabins, offers restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.

A Day at Log Cabin Resort in Olympic National Park

We’ve spent 2-day and 3-day weekends at the resort, but I wouldn’t hesitate to spend more time here to see all of Lake Crescent’s destinations, take a trip to Hurricane Ridge, and explore the Sol Duc Valley.

Here’s how we enjoyed a day at the resort, opting to relax instead of embarking on a day trip to Olympic National Park.

Relaxing on the Shoreline

After settling into our RV site, we spent time on the lake’s shore, just a short walk away, lounging in our camping chairs. Two ducks approached us, and it was clear that humans often feed them. Do not feed the wildlife! It does them more harm than good because they become reliant on being fed.

I was delighted to spot a momma duck with her baby ducklings trailing behind her. They were so cute!

Returning to our campsite, we started a campfire to roast hot dogs for lunch.

Man adding wood to a bright campfire at Log Cabin Resort Campground, surrounded by towering green trees with a lake in the background. — Lake view from RV site 32

Lake Crescent Kayaking to Devil’s Punchbowl

After more relaxing around the campfire, we rented kayaks. The guy in charge of the rentals stressed that the lake gets windy and the water can be choppy and rough.

Selfie of two people kayaking on Lake Crescent, with forested mountains in the background. — We rented a two-seater kayak to share the load of paddling.

The sensation of being on the lake, surrounded by mountains, is incredible! As we paddled to Devil’s Punchbowl, I marveled at the lake water’s variations of color, from gem-like aquamarine to cobalt blue.

The Devil’s Punchbowl is a popular spot on Lake Crescent near the north shore. It’s a bridge, swimming hole, and main attraction along the Spruce Railroad Trail.

Once we arrived, we sat in our kayak and watched people jump into the lake. We were glad it wasn’t us swimming in the frigid lake water!

View of a wooden bridge over Devil’s Punchbowl on Lake Crescent, surrounded by dense forest and mountains. — Devil’s Punchbowl and Lake Crescent’s brilliant aquamarine colors

We continued paddling to engage in one of our favorite pastimes: viewing lakefront property. Then, we explored some of the lake’s inlets on our way back.

Lawn Games

Back on land, we took a short stroll, enjoying glorious views. We played a few rounds of cornhole on the lawn before heading to the restaurant.

Dinner at the On-Site Restaurant

Meals here are casual. We ate burgers, and I was thrilled they had my favorite beer on tap!

NOTE: Service can be spotty between typical lunch and dinner hours. I once had to track someone down to take our order. But the service is friendly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to eat here again.

Smores by the Firepit

Another fun feature at the resort is a communal fire pit with tree stumps around it to sit on. We ended our relaxing day next to the fire pit.

Circle of log seats around a fire pit by a lake, with kayakers and mountainous terrain in the backdrop. — Photo credit Andrei Lopatenko

There are only so many stumps to sit on, and it’s a popular resort feature, so you might have to set up around the fire earlier in the evening to ensure you get a spot.

Olympic National Park Attractions

Log Cabin Resort makes an excellent home base for exploring the national park’s best northern attractions. It’s centrally located between Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc Valley.

Drive time to popular park destinations are listed below:

Spruce Railroad Trail – 3 min
East Beach – 6 min
Marymere Falls – 15 min
Mount Storm King Hike – 15 min
Moments in Time Trail – 15 min
Madison Falls – 20 min
Salmon Cascades – 38 min
Ancient Groves Trail – 41 min
Sol Duc Hot Springs – 48 min
Sol Duc Falls – 50 min
Hurricane Ridge – 1 hour
Second Beach – 1 hour 6 min
Rialto Beach – 1 hour 8 min
Hoh Rainforest – 1 hour 41 min

TIP: If you plan to explore the Hoh Rainforest and coastal areas near Forks, like La Push beaches, I highly recommend staying in Forks. Many park visitors split their time between the Lake Crescent/Port Angeles area and Forks to reduce driving time.

Port Angeles Attractions

If you’re looking for things to do in Port Angeles, here are just a few of the best places to visit.

Salt Creek – 18 min
Elwha Beach – 23 min
Port Angeles Farmers Market (Saturdays only!) – 28 min
Port Angeles City Pier – 29 min
Ediz Hook – 31 min

Port Angeles beaches aren’t part of the national park but are worth visiting on your park tour, especially Crescent Bay at Salt Creek.

TIP: Granny’s Cafe and mini zoo next to Emerald Valley Inn is only 11 minutes from the resort, and a MUST VISIT dessert destination. Their pies are amazing, but I always get their soft-serve ice cream.

FAQs: Log Cabin Resort & Campground

I answer commonly asked questions below.

Are pets allowed at Log Cabin Resort?

Pets are allowed at Log Cabin Resort, but only if you stay in a Camper Cabin or the campground.

Does Log Cabin Resort have any great views?

Yes! The lake and mountain views are the best thing about staying at Log Cabin Resort. You can enjoy them from the lakeside chalets, a picnic table by the water, or the communal fire pit.

Dusky view from Log Cabin Resort, Lake Crescent, with low clouds over mountains and silhouettes of people on the shoreline. — I took this moody photo from the shoreline behind the main lodge.

The restaurant also offers lake panoramas from its indoor and outdoor tables.

Are there any waterfalls nearby?

Marymere Falls is a 15-minute drive away and one of my favorite Lake Crescent hikes. Sol Duc Falls is fifty minutes away but worth the drive. There’s also Madison Falls, twenty minutes away, which requires the least amount of hiking.

Visitors of Olympic National Park standing on a platform surrounded by trees, ferns, and moss, enjoying the view of a waterfall. — Marymere Falls in October. The falls are more substantial in late winter and spring.

Best Lake Crescent hikes near Log Cabin Resort

The Spruce Railroad Trail is just a few minutes from the resort and great for anyone with mobility issues because it’s flat and mostly paved. The Devil’s Punchbowl is a little over a mile from the trailhead.

My favorite hike near the resort is the Marymere Falls Trail because of its beautiful forest—which I think is prettier than the falls! From the trailhead, it leads to a fork, where you can veer left for the challenging Mount Storm King Trail, which offers incredible views of Lake Crescent at the top.

A man in a yellow shirt is carefully walking over rocks towards a group of people sitting and standing on top of Mount Storm King, surrounded by lake and mountain views. — The reward for braving the **Mount Storm King ropes**

The Moments in Time Trail is short but stunning, offering many places to walk or sit along the lake. You’ll also see incredible moss-covered trees on this hike.

Wrap-Up: Log Cabin Resort Lake Crescent Review

I love staying at Log Cabin Resort for its laid-back vibe and easy access to outdoor activities.

Whether you want to unwind by the water, explore the lake by kayak, or hike the incredible nearby trails, the resort offers the perfect home base to do all that and more. Olympic National Park’s best northern attractions, like Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc Valley, are an hour from here.

Having stayed at Log Cabin Resort three times, I highly recommend it to those seeking a relaxed summer retreat.