Crescent Lake lies to the south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area ("BWCA"), along Forest Route 170.

[3] To the north, Crescent Lake receives water from Kinogami Lake,[4] through Willow Creek, in the Willow Creek Unit, a 1360 acre roadless area inventoried by the Forest Service's second Roadless Area Review & Evaluation (RARE II) in 1979, but not added to the BWCA.

[9] The Minnesota DNR manages a section of 650 acres of mixed old growth forest on state land adjacent to the lake.

[3] It features a boat launch onto Crescent Lake, canoe storage areas, vault toilets, and a quarter mile hiking trail.

[3] During the regular season, from April 29 through October 30,[11] drinking water and garbage disposal are available, and the nightly fee is $16.