No Camping Reservations in November, December and January - Beginning in 2017, it will no longer be possible to make reservations for individual campsites, at Salt Creek and Dungeness Recreation Areas, for dates in the months of November, December and January. Both parks will still be open during this time, however all campsites will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. Campsite reservations will begin January 1st making it possible to complete individual campsite reservations for both parks beginning in February running through October.

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 s'mores by the campfire or behold the lights of Victoria B.C. or oooh 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.

There is no entrance or day use fee charged at this park or any of the other parks within the Clallam County Park system. Fees are charged for camping, dump station use, and showers.

Camping Information (Click for Camping Fees)

The campground is open year round. There are 92 premium campsites, which include two camp host sites, located on a bluff above the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Approximately 73 of the 92 campsites have a view of the water. The campground is naturally divided into two distinct areas. Campsites # 1 – 49 are in a relatively open area, all with outstanding views of the Strait. Sites # 1 through 39 have water and electrical hook-ups (30 and 50 amp) available. Sites # 50 through 92 are located in a forested area. Campsites # 25 and 73 are the locations for the camp hosts. Click here to view the Park map for specific site descriptions and photos.

There are two ADA accessible campsites (# 39 and 71), one with utility hook-ups and one without. Two fully ADA accessible restrooms, with coin-operated showers, are available. There is no charge for paying campers to use the dump station, while non-campers are assessed a fee. Firewood bundles are available for purchase at a camp host site or the Park Office. Water faucets are scattered throughout the Park.

Campsites # 40 through 49 are designated for tents only. No RVs will be allowed to stay in these sites. Trailers, motorhomes, 5th-wheels, motorcoaches (buses), pick-up campers, etc., are not permitted to use these campsites. When staying in these sites be aware that when the grass is wet the area can be very slippery for vehicles.

Individual campsite reservations for 2018 will be accepted beginning on January 1, 2018. Reservations are now processed online. The link to the reservation website is located below this scrolling text and highlighted in yellow.

Reservations may be made for one-half of the campsites. Campsites #16 through 39, 50 through 68, 71, and 72 may be reserved (#25 and 73 are camp host sites). The remaining sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individual campsite reservations are accepted for the current calendar year only, February 1 through October 31. All reservations must be made at least seven (7) days prior to the desired camping date. Click here to view the reservation policy.

On the reservation website, you will be directed to select the arrival date and the departure date. When making the reservation, be sure to re-check the reservation dates before completing the process to make certain the correct dates have been entered.

Full payment is required at the time the reservation is made. All reservations must be paid with a credit or debit card. Each reservation will be charged a $10 non-refundable reservation fee in addition to the nightly camping fee. All local and state taxes are included in the camping fee.

Modification requests of an existing reservation must be done via email at Email. Cancellations may be done on the reservation website or you may request a cancellation be done via email. A fee is charged to modify or cancel a reservation.
Click here to view the modification and cancellation policies.

Upon arrival at the park proceed to your reserved campsite. If it is unoccupied you may enter the site at any time, there is no designated check-in time. Check-out time for the previous occupant is noon.

Call or email the park if arrival at the campsite is expected to be delayed beyond 12:00 noon of the day after the reserved arrival date, otherwise the reservation will be canceled as a no-show.

BRING A COPY OF THE RESERVATION RECEIPT WITH YOU TO THE PARK.

First-come, first serve camping is done through self registration at the park. Information and fee envelopes are available at two (2) fee stations located within the park.

Locate and occupy one of the empty first-come, first-serve campsites. The sites are # 1 through 15, 40 through 49, 69, 70, and 74 through 92. Within 30 minutes of occupying the campsite return to the fee station and register. Fill out the fee envelope and enclose the proper fee.

Currently, we are unable to process credit or debit cards at the park. All payments must be by cash, check, or money order. Make U.S. checks payable to "Clallam County Parks". We are unable to accept Canadian checks, currency, or coins. Payment can be made for an entire stay or one night at a time. No refunds are available.

Remove the camping receipt from the fee envelope and place it on the vehicle dashboard. Deposit the fee envelope into the fee box.

Some reservation campsites may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Locate the special instructions at the fee station concerning these sites before occupying one.

Camp Fees

Standard Campsite:

Clallam County residents	$22.00/night
Non-County residents	$25.00/night

Utility Campsite:

Clallam County residents	$27.00/night
Non-County residents	$30.00/night
Extra Vehicle	$5.00/night
Firewood	$5.00/bundle
Coin-operated showers	Nominal charge
Reservation Fee	$10.00/res.

Basic Campground Regulations

• Self registration
• One extra non-camping vehicle may be allowed in sites that are large enough to safely handle vehicle within the site parking 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 individuals. C.C.C. 23.03.040
• A 14-night continuous camping limit will be enforced. C.C.C. 23.03.040
• Check out time for campers is 12:00 pm (noon) C.C.C. 23.03.040
• Keep pets on a leash at all times (Maximum 8 feet long) Clean up after your pet C.C.C. 23.03.070
• Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. C.C.C. 23.03.040
• Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. Generators must be off from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am. C.C.C. 23.03.030
• Camping is allowed in designated campsites only. All campsites are numbered. C.C.C. 23.03.040
• All fireworks are prohibited. C.C.C. 23.03.080
• Hunting or the use of firearms, bow and arrow, air or gas weapon, or other projectile devices capable of injuring or killing any person or animal or damaging any park property is prohibited. C.C.C. 23.03.090
• All alcoholic beverages and marijuana are prohibited by State law. RCW 60.44.100 and RCW 69.50.445
• 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 "do not remove anything from the shoreline, including all marine life, shells, rocks, and driftwood". C.C.C. 23.03.140
• Destroying any tree, shrub, or plant is prohibited; cutting or collecting firewood is prohibited. C.C.C. 23.03.140
• Campers and visitors assume all risk of liability arising from or in connection with rental, or use, of any camping space and other activities at the premises and assumes and shall accept all risk of loss or damage to, or theft, or destruction of personal property and equipment at the premises.
• Click here for a printer friendly copy of the park rules and regulations.

Picnic Shelter

The Picnic Shelter may be reserved. Please follow these rules while occupying the shelter:

1. No overnight camping allowed
2. No alcoholic beverages or marijuana allowed
3. Do not remove tables from shelter
4. Do not place hotplates, stoves, hibachis, crock pots, or other hot items on the tables.
5. Clean up area before leaving
6. Day use visitors must leave before dusk

To reserve the Picnic Shelter, with all of the amenities (hot water, electricity, & cook top), the following fee schedule applies:

All Day - $80.00
Half Day (7am to 2pm or 3pm to Dusk) - $45.00

To reserve the Picnic Shelter, without amenities, the following fee schedule applies:

All Day - $40.00
Half Day (7am to 2pm or 3pm to Dusk) - $20.00

If the event is to exceed 100 people, a surcharge of $1.00 per person is paid by the group for the excess of 100 (101 – 150). Maximum of 150 people allowed.

To reserve, contact the Park Manager directly. Contact information is available below.

Hours of Operation

The park and campground are open year round. From May through September the gate opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m. From October through April the gate opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m.

The Park entrance gate automatically closes at the aforementioned closing time.  It is not possible to enter the Park once the gate closes. Campers leaving the Park should plan to return before the posted closing time. If a registered camper arrives after the gate has closed they must park in the lot near the gate and walk to their campsite. The Park is managed by a resident Park Manager who lives on the site year round.

Additional Park Information

Park Hosts: Opportunities for park hosts are available at this Park, and those interested in being a Park Host should contact the Park Manager.

Park Boundary: The working western boundary line of the County Park is the middle of Salt Creek. Please respect the private beach that lies west of the creek. A portion of the beach is available to paying patrons of the Crescent Beach RV Park. This private beach and recreation area may be used by contacting the Crescent Beach R.V. Park at 360-928-3344.

Third Weekend of September: Every year on the third Saturday of September Port Angeles High School hosts an invitational cross country meet at the Park. The park road is used as a portion of the race course. The races run from approximately 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Due to safety concerns traffic is restricted during these hours. Incoming campers are asked to delay your arrival until after 1pm. Campers leaving on that Saturday must leave before 8 a.m. or shortly after the conclusion of the last race of the day, around 1pm. For further information contact the Park Manager directly.

Directions to Salt Creek Recreation Area

The Park is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca 15 miles west of Port Angeles. From Highway 112, after approximately 9 miles turn north onto Camp Hayden Road (near milepost 54). Travel approximately 3 miles, and the Park entrance will be on your right. Click here to access the Google Map website.

Contact Information

Phone: 360-928-3441
Email: Email
Address:
3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363

Links for Tide Tables

• Tide predictions for specific dates from SaltwaterTides.com
• Complete tide tables from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

For tide predictions for Salt Creek Park, select Crescent Bay.

Enlarge this map

Click for more photos!