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Short hike to a cool spot: Spruce Railroad Trail in Olympic National Park

Swimming hole? Tunnel? This Olympic National Park hike has both!
Credit: Erickson, Anne
Devil's Punchbowl on Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park

PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Whether you like walks into dark spaces, or jumps from high places, this short hike to a cool spot has both.

Spruce Railroad Trail is in Olympic National Park, and this leg starts on East Beach Road. Dogs can come on leash, and the wide gravel trail is easy to navigate.

At 1 mile, before the kids can even ask ‘Are we there yet?’, you arrive at 450 foot long McFee Tunnel.

The Spruce Railroad was built during WWI to move lumber to build airplanes but the war ended before the railroad was finished. The recently restored tunnel has a curve so it's good and dark.

But if you go through it and keep walking (the entire trail is 4 miles one way) you'll miss this place's best kept secret: Devil's Punch Bowl.

A small trail on the lake side of the tunnel leads to a swimming hole complete with show-off cliffs and a bridge for the peanut gallery.

Bring life jackets for the kiddos if you plan to play here -- the water is deep. Kai, who was visiting from California gave us this review: "It's pretty and it's also really deep."

This short hike to a cool spot is recommended for anyone. It can be hiked year round, but is perfect on a hot summer day.

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