Sitting on the southern shore of Lake Crescent along US-101, Fairholme Campground gives campers direct access to one of the most recognizable lakes in Olympic National Park. The campground is organized into three loops on a forested hillside, with a separate set of walk-in sites positioned right at the water's edge. Those lakeside walk-in spots require hauling gear from the parking area, but reviewers consistently say the extra effort is worth it for the unobstructed views across the lake.
Crowd management is the central challenge here. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and summer weekends fill fast. Arriving by midmorning on a Thursday gives a reasonable shot at a site; arriving Saturday afternoon does not. Sites across the loops sit close together with limited screening between them, and Blaine B. notes that the hillside terrain means RV campers should bring leveling blocks. Highway noise from 101 carries into the campground at night, a detail multiple reviewers flag as a genuine drawback rather than a minor inconvenience.
Kayaking and fishing are the primary draws on the lake, and the campground store near the entrance rents kayaks and paddleboards and carries food, alcohol, and basic supplies. Food storage containers are provided on-site, so bear canisters are not required. The facilities, including flush toilets and drinking water, draw consistent praise for cleanliness, and camp hosts are reportedly active in maintaining the grounds. Pets are welcome, though Asuka S. notes that "water is definitely cold to swim," a reminder that the lake is deep and cold even in summer.
The season runs May 21 through October 5, and the shoulder months offer a noticeably different experience. By October, the campground can be nearly empty. RVs up to 45 feet can be accommodated at sites with water hookups, and a dump station is available on-site. Campers traveling with dogs will find pet-friendly campsites around Olympic National Park if Fairholme fills before they arrive. The Fairholm - Olympic National Park campground sits just 0.2 miles southeast and is worth checking as a backup.
Fairholme works best for campers who can arrive early on a weekday or who are willing to time a visit outside peak summer. If Lake Crescent is the destination, this is the closest campground to it.
Description
Overview
The reservation season the 2026 summer season for Fairholme Campground is May 15, 2026 - September 29, 2026._Important information about booking windows: To better serve visitors, Fairholme Campground will be releasing campsites in a series of three staggered block releases by loop. These block releases will be 6 months in advance, two weeks in advance, and 4 days in advance. B loop campsites and the majority of the walk-to sites will be available for reservation 6 months in advance. C loop campsites and most of the remaining walk-to sites will be available for reservations 2 weeks in advance. A loop campsites and walk-to site 85 will be available for reservations 4 days in advance. __The campground may open on a first-come, first serve basis during the spring depending on weather before the reservation season._Fairholme Campground is located next to Lake Crescent on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula in Olympic National Park. The campground sits in an old-growth forest surrounded by steep mountains. Fairholme Campground features walk-in lakefront campsites and several drive-in campsites that provide views of Lake Crescent. The campground is large and set amidst a peaceful forest that thrives on the region's high annual rainfall. Rain or shine, it is one of the most visited areas of the park.
Recreation
Numerous day hiking opportunities are available near the Lake Crescent area. Please follow the link to Olympic NPS page for more information - Lake Crescent Area Brochure - https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/lake-crescent-area-brochure.htm Paddling and boating opportunities are available within minutes from the campground. Lake Crescent boat launch is located adjacent to the campground. Please follow the link to learn more - Boating - https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/boating.htm Fairholme Olympic Discovery Trailhead is located about 2 miles west of Fairholme Campground on US Highway 101. Bicycling, road cycling, and hiking are available at this access point. Please follow the link to learn more - https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recreation/bicycling/recarea/?recid=80688&actid=26
Facilities
Fairholme Campground is a large facility with 84 campsites, including walk-in lakeside campsites and one ADA accessible site. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Food storage lockers are provided in some, but not all campsites. Drinking water is available at each bathroom and water spickets are also located along the trails to the walk-in campsites. There are no RV hookups at this facility, but a RV water fill station and RV septic dump station are located next to the campground where the boat launch is. Payment is required for each use of the RV septic dump station. The nearest gas station is located 17 miles west on US Highway 101 at the junction with SR 113. The nearest shower facility is Bogachiel State Park (35 miles one way) located off US Highway 101. Payment is required for use of shower facilities. Campers can purchase firewood at Fairholme General Store, Lake Crescent Lodge, and Log Cabin Resort.
Natural Features
Lake Crescent, a cold, clear, glacially carved lake, owes its existence to ice. Its azure depths, which plummet to 624 feet, were gouged by huge ice sheets thousands of years ago. As the ice retreated, it left behind a steep valley that filled with the clear blue waters of Lake Crescent.
Nearby Attractions
Olympic National Park has much to explore, including temperate rain forests, ocean shores, sub-alpine mountains, lakes and more. The towns of Port Angeles, Forks, and Beaver are within a 30 to 60-minute drive. Fairholme Campground is along the shores of Lake Crescent, which is a big attraction for visitors to the park. Additionally, access to the Sol Duc Valley, with its popular Sol Duc Falls trail and Sol Duc Hotsprings Resort nearby. A moderate drive from the campground also provides access to the Marymere Falls and Mount Storm King trails. Fairholme Campground is a good base camp to explore Olympic National Park, as it is located between Port Angeles (Hurricane Ridge) and popular western locations such as Rialto Beach, Hoh Rainforest, and Kalaloch/Ruby Beach.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (360) 327-3250.
Charges & Cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time on the day of arrival you must contact campground staff. Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies
Fee Info
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFairholme Campground is located in Washington near Sol Duc Hot Springs
Directions
Fairholme lies on the west side of Lake Cresent within Olympic National Park, about a 45-minute drive from Port Angeles and a 30-minute drive from Forks. Fairholme Campground is accessed by Camp David Jr. Road, off US Highway 101.
Coordinates
48.07008 N
123.918138 W
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 19 usersLast on 7/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/14/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/14/26
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 19 usersLast on 7/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/14/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/14/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 13 min from Bremerton, WA
- 2 hrs 34 min from Seattle, WA
- 2 hrs 41 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 2 hrs 59 min from Bellingham, WA



























































