Crescent Creek Campground

The feel

Crescent Creek is a small campground of 9 sites on the banks of Crescent Creek, in spruce forest. Firewood is available from the camp host.

The creek is the draw. Spawning sockeye can be watched along the creek here, black bears frequent the area but are rarely seen, and moose browse the creek edges early and late. The trailhead for Crescent Lake Trail is a short drive farther up Quartz Creek Road.

What to expect

Layout and setting

9 sites on the banks of Crescent Creek in spruce forest. A camp host sells firewood.

Fees and reservations

$19 per night for a single site. Sites are first-come, first-served only and are not on the reservation system, so you must arrive in person and pay at the user-fee station.

Hazards

Black bears frequent the area. Snow can linger on the Crescent Lake Trail until early June.

Bathrooms and water

Vault toilet on site. Bring your own drinking water, since potable water is not available.

Season and access

Generally open from mid-May to mid-September, depending on the weather. In the off-season there are no fees and no services, and toilets may be unavailable. The campground is at mile 3 of Quartz Creek Road, which turns south off the Sterling Highway near milepost 45.

Mingo says

Aim for mid-May through mid-September, when fees and services are in place. Hikers heading up Crescent Lake Trail should wait until after early June.

Before you go

• Arrive in person: there is no reservation system, and you pay $19 at the user-fee station.
• Pack out all garbage and bring drinking water.
• For Crescent Lake Trail, drive on to the trailhead at mile 3.3 of Quartz Creek Road.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.