MY BUCKET LIST
I haven’t visited this location yet. It’s on my bucket list, and I wanted to share a little information in case you get a chance to explore it before I do.
Devil’s Punchbowl is a small rocky cove on the north shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The short route follows the Spruce Railroad Trail from its eastern trailhead, then takes an unpaved side trail around the cove to a footbridge near the old railroad tunnel.
Lake Crescent along the Spruce Railroad Trail. This shoreline view illustrates the setting; it does not show the Devil’s Punchbowl bridge. Photo: NPS / E. Goode. Photo source · Public domain, U.S. Government work. No copyright claimed in the original U.S. Government work. Thumbnails may be cropped to fit.
Reference photo. Trail surfaces and conditions may have changed since it was taken.
Why it’s on my list
Lake Crescent’s clear water and the forest along the shoreline look absolutely gorgeous. I haven’t made it to this spot yet, but a walk beside the lake with a stop at that little bridge looks like a really nice way to explore it.
The lake is definitely the main draw for me, though the old railroad route and tunnel make the walk a little different, too. If I’m out on the Olympic Peninsula, this is one I’d really like to make time for.
Have you been here? If you make it out before I do, I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment at the bottom of the page and let me know what you thought.
At a glance
- Location: Lake Crescent, Olympic Peninsula, west of Port Angeles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hike Length: Approx. 2.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: Approx. 127 ft.
- Hike Type: Out and back
View the trail and photos on AllTrails
Getting there: For the short route linked here, start at the eastern Spruce Railroad Trailhead reached by East Beach Road, also called the Lyre River trailhead. Don’t start at the Camp David Jr. Road end if you want this shorter walk. Follow the paved trail toward the first tunnel, then take the signed unpaved side trail to Devil’s Punchbowl.
Most of the approach is paved, but the side trail to the Punchbowl is narrower, uneven, and beside a drop to the water. The full mapped outing isn’t a paved accessible path all the way through. Keep children close near the edge and bridge. Lake Crescent’s water is very cold, so I’d treat this as a scenic walk rather than a swimming recommendation. Check Olympic National Park’s current conditions for storm damage, snow, or closures before visiting.
Details checked November 8, 2026. Trail measurements follow the linked AllTrails route. Sources: AllTrails, National Park Service: Lake Crescent, Current Olympic conditions. Conditions and access can change.