Salt Creek Recreation Area

Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park has national park aesthetics, with County Park amenities. The 196-acre Park includes upland forests, rocky bluffs, rocky tide pools, sand beach, Salt Creek access, campsites, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Bay, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Salt Creek is a regional park that draws visitors from all areas of the northwest and is another one of Clallam County's premier parks. Many colleges and schools from all over the United States visit the Park to study and observe the marine life.

The Park has something for almost anyone. For the kids and young-at-heart, play equipment, basketball court, horseshoe courts, softball field, and volleyball court provide the base to expend that extra energy. Passive leisure pursuits include tide pooling at the Tongue Point Marine Sanctuary, kite flying, sun bathing, watching shipping lanes, and exploring the remnants of WWII-era Camp Hayden. Many thrive on the nature driven activities of surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, and bird watching. At night, spread a blanket to stargaze or prepare somores by the campfire or behold the lights of Victoria B.C. or ohhh and ahhh at the brightly lit cruise ships, as they pass through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The area 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 Camp Hayden. The remnants of World War II Camp Hayden are preserved on the site - two concrete bunkers which housed 16" cannons and several smaller bunkers.

Mountain bikers and hikers access the State's Striped Peak Recreation Area, from this western trailhead. Highlighted as a premier birding site, Salt Creek is on the Whale Trail and the National Audubon's Olympic Loop of the Greater Washington State Birding Trail.

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