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Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park was purchased from the Federal General Services Administration after being surplussed at the end of World War II. The site was used during World War II as a harbor defense military base called Fort Hayden. It is also famous for its Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary.

The 196-acre park facilities include upland forests, rocky bluffs, rocky tide pools, sand beach access area, Salt Creek  access, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Bay, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The remnants of World War II Fort Hayden are preserved on the site - two concrete bunkers which housed 16" cannons and several siting bunkers.

The park has 90 campsites, 3 full service accessible restrooms (two with showers), hiking trails, 5 beach access walkways with interpretive information signs, a large playground, picnic areas, group picnic shelter, dump station, sandlot baseball field, horseshoe court, basketball court, volleyball court, and a marine life sanctuary. The park also serves as a hiking trail access to the Department of Natural Resources trails which access the Striped Peak area.

The park and campground are open year round with the gate closing at dark. The park is managed by a resident park manager who lives on the site year round. Camping is on a first-come first-served basis, there is no reservation system. Of the 90

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The beaches at Salt Creek
Wetlands at Salt Creek
Playground area at Salt Creek

available campsites, there are 39 utility sites and 51 standard sites.  The utility sites feature water and electrical (30 and 50 amp) hookups.  The fee for a utility site is $20 for Clallam County residents, $22 for non-county residents.  The standard site fee is $14 for Clallam County residents, $16 for non-county residents. There are two ADA approved campsites available in the park, one utility and one standard site.  Showers and firewood are available for a fee. A dump station is available for use at no charge to paying campers. Water is available in several locations throughout the park. Favorite activities for park users are camping, picnicking, large group picnics, day use of playground areas, beach walking and school group study of tide pool areas and sanctuary, hiking, scuba diving, whale watching inside Crescent Bay, and swimming the creek..

Salt Creek is a regional park that draws visitors from all areas of the northwest and is another one of Clallam County's premier park areas. Many colleges and schools from all over the United States visit the park to study and observe the marine life.

A few basic campground regulations:
  • Self registration
  • One extra non-camping vehicle may be allowed in sites that are large enough to safely handle vehicle within site pad. Extra vehicle must be registered on camp fee permit and proper fee paid.
  • The occupancy of a single campsite shall be limited to 6 people.
  • A 15-day continuous camping limit will be enforced.
  • Pets are allowed on leashes not longer than 8 feet.
  • The tide pools in front of Salt Creek Recreation Area are rich with marine life and are designated as a Marine Life Sanctuary. This means "look but don't touch".

Opportunities for park hosts are available at this park and those interested should contact the Park Manager.

The working western boundary line of the County Park is the mouth of Salt Creek.  Please respect the private beach that lies west of the river mouth.  This private beach and recreation area may be used by contacting Crescent Beach and R.V. Park at 360-928-3344.

Directions to Salt Creek Recreation Area:

The park is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca 13 miles west of Port Angeles.  From Highway 112, turn north onto Camp Hayden Road (near milepost 54).  Travel approximately 3-1/2 miles, and the park entrance will be on your right.

The mailing address for Salt Creek Recreation Area is:

Salt Creek Recreation Area
3506 Camp Hayden Road
Port Angeles, WA 98363

Phone: 360-928-3441
email: ccpsc@olypen.com

Links to Tide Tables: