Fairholm, Washington, is a small unincorporated community at the west end of Lake Crescent, in Olympic National Park. The park is in the extreme northwest of the Pacific Northwest, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The park is designated a Biosphere and a World Heritage Site for its unique combination of coastline, lakes, mountains and unspoiled rain forest. The abundance of nearby golf courses appeals to those who like their outdoors groomed.
Fairholm is a small village, centered on its general store and cafe. The community was home to a modest resort from the 1920s through the 1970s, but those buildings were demolished in 1984 to accommodate improvements to Hwy 101. Currently, the Fairholm Campground, operated by the Park Service, provides the only accommodations within Fairholm itself. For those staying at the campground, the general store provides groceries, dining, boat rentals and other services.
Four hotels are located within Olympic National Park -- two are close to Fairholm. Lake Crescent Lodge is the closest full-service hotel, approximately eight miles away. It consists of the original 1916 lodge building and five sets of cottages. The lodge and the Roosevelt Cottages are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sol Duc Hot Springs is a more modern resort 1/2-hour west of Fairholm on Sol Duc Road. It offers mineral-water springs, massage services and a range of rooms. Another nearby option is Log Cabin Resort, a 20-minute drive from Fairholm on East Beach Road.
Port Angeles is the regional hub, a town of 20,000 about 30 minutes from Fairholm. A ferry here connects the Olympic Peninsula to Vancouver Island, Canada. Several value-priced hotels and motels are here. The Fairmount Motel shares space with a gas station and convenience store, making hit a handy "base camp" for visitors. The Super 8 is similarly close to the all of the area's attractions, and offers the range of amenities expected in a chain hotel.
While the resort hotels of Olympia Park are noteworthy, Port Angeles has its own upscale establishments. The Red Lion Hotel has been voted the best in the county by local residents. It overlooks the waterfront, and has a highly regarded kitchen. Runner-up in 2010 was the Olympic Lodge with its spectacular mountain views.
