Salt Creek Recreation Area Campground

Camping is at the heart of the Salt Creek Recreation Area, and it's easy to understand why. Situated just 30 minutes west of Port Angeles, the park is a great spot to kick off a larger tour of the Olympic Peninsula. Salt Creek Recreation Area's 196 acres is large enough to comfortably accommodate guests in the busy summer seasons, and both the campground and the park are open year round for off-season tours. But above all, Salt Creek Recreation Area is one of the best places on the peninsula to experience this remarkable stretch of coastline. You'll be steps away from the Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, one of the best areas for tide pools on the Olympic Peninsula. The point forms the eastern edge of Crescent Bay, which has a beautiful beach that is easily accessed from the campground. As you walk on the beach, you can watch the tide come in and make an island of the large, treed rock just off the mainland. You can also hike on any number of the park's trails to explore the World War II bunkers or to catch superb views of the strait, or you may want to retire to your site to watch the sun set over the water.

The campground itself consists of two areas: the east area is home to sites with electric and water hookups, and it also has several tent-only sites that look north onto the strait; the area near Tongue Point is open to RVs and tents, though none of the sites have hookups. There is an ADA site in each of the two areas, and several sites that are available for reservation are distributed between the two areas as well. Otherwise, all campsites are first-come, first-served. Overnight guests will generally find sites to be spacious and equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Restrooms with coin-operated showers are convenient to both areas, and each has its share of sites with stunning views of the strait. A day use area with a picnic shelter (also available for reservation) is located just off of the eastern loop, and this area includes basketball and volleyball courts, a softball field, a playground, and horseshoe pits.

Note that while Salt Creek Recreation Area is open year round, some sites close for the winter. Also, the entrance gate closes every night at dusk.