I drove by Salt Creek Recreation Area back in Fall 2020 when I was exploring the Pacific Northwest and visited the adjacent Crescent Beach RV Park, and then kept hearing about how wonderful that spot is from friends of mine that live in Sequim. While I was on the Olympic Peninsula in April 2024 dealing with my Lake Sutherland Lakehouse renovations, I decided to check it out and see what all the buzz is about. Let’s just say, that I was not disappointed!
Salt Creek is a 196-acres park with campsites located adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, located about 15 miles west of Port Angeles on U.S. Route 101 near the city of Joyce in Clallam County, WA. The park has a number of camping spots, most overlooking the strait and mountains all year long. The park provides access to Tongue Point and Striped Peak along with sandy beaches, upland forests, rocky bluffs, and several trails.
I parked my van at the first parking area surrounded by a huge grassy area. I let my cat Maverick out to enjoy the sun as I walked around to get my bearings. You can already see the Strait ahead with the deep blue water shining bright and Vancouver Island visible across the way in the distance. The first rows of campsites you come across are the larger RV hookup sites, followed by some tent camping sites along the bluff. Most of these are very sunny sites without a lot of tree cover. From there I walked west into a more tree covered area where you find the more desirable campsites on the bluffs, many overlooking the water. There are multiple stairways down to the water, as well as some coves. I enjoyed watching the waves crash on the rocks and splashing high up into the air. At the top of one of the stairways there is a US Reference Mark with the Treaty of 1908 establishing the border between USA and Canada.
At the far west end you reach Tongue Point, an aptly named narrow piece of land shaped like a tongue. Here, the rocky shore juts out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, creating a small bay forming the eastern edge of Crescent Bay. During low tide you can walk on it by foot and explore hundreds of tide pools featuring heaps of anemones, crabs, snails, and sea cucumbers, as well as the mussels, barnacles, and sea stars that adorn the rocks. Make sure you check the tide charts because much of the rocky point becomes covered with higher tides. Looking southwest from the point you’ll notice a giant unnamed rock that is an iconic feature of the point and of Crescent Beach. As the tide comes in, the strait’s rising water makes an island out of that treed rock, creating a superb view as you walk Crescent Beach south toward the mouth of Salt Creek. The Bluff Trail then leads you to the remnants of WWII bunkers from Camp Hayden, including one you can drive through. I took the Beach To Bunker Trail back to my van. I was probably there for a few hours and loved every part of the experience!
I’m going to be van camping at Salt Creek Recreation Area in March of this year and have a great camp spot on the bluff overlooking the ocean water. I can’t wait to spend more time exploring all the different areas, enjoying the tide pools, spending time on the beach, and watching the sunsets! I’m also hoping to hike the Striped Peak Trail and the Cove Trail since I didn’t do that part of the park in 2024. I’m guessing it will be a bit wet and cold in the Spring with the possibility of fog, but I’m hoping there will still be some sun peaking out to make it a fun camping experience. Depending on weather, I may also drive the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway again and stop at some spots I haven’t before like Pillar Point County Park, Clallam Bay, and Sekiu. Plus I still haven’t done the Spruce Railroad Trail to Devil’s Punchbowl in Lake Crescent.
