Salt Creek Campground is an incredibly scenic, large campground around 20 minutes from Port Angeles and on the northern coast of Washington State. It includes RV and tent sites and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Canada.
The campground is a road-tripper's dream. Right off Highway 112, Salt Creek Campground is also only a short drive away from Port Angeles and Forks, Washington. If you're looking for an easy-to-find and beautiful overnight spot, Salt Creek Campground is for you!
Where is Salt Creek Campground?
Salt Creek Campground is in Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary in Port Angeles, Washington. It is within Clallam County. The address is: 3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363
The campground is on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's not uncommon to get up in the morning and spot orcas or seals swimming near the island.
From downtown Port Angeles: 23 minutes
From Forks: 1 hour 10 minutes
From Seattle: 2 hours 45 minutes
From Olympia: 2 hours 40 minutes
Salt Creek Campground Directions
Use the map below to navigate to Salt Creek Campground:
Salt Creek Campground Information
A large campground on 196 acres along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Half of the sites are utility, and half are non-utility, and the campground is open year-round.
Utility sites: #1-39
Non-utility sites: #40-92
The campground is also open for day-use visitors who want to walk on the hiking trails and enjoy the views. There is no day-use fee at Salt Creek Campground. There is a playground for all visitors to enjoy.
There are tent-only sites at Salt Creek Campground. They are #40-49 and are all first-come-first-serve. Other first-come-first-serve sites are:
The reservable sites are:
When to Visit Salt Creek Campground?
The best time of year to visit Salt Creek Campground is in the summer!
The summer season is absolutely gorgeous in this area of Washington, and you can't beat a cool summer morning on the coast. If you're tired of the stifling heat in central Washington, Seattle, or Oregon, this area of the coast has all the cool air you could want.
The best months to visit Salt Creek Campground are June-October.
By November, the rains have returned for the winter. But, the campground is open year-round! So if you're passing through and don't mind some mist, it's still a great option.
Why Choose Salt Creek Campground?
Salt Creek Campground is perfect if you have a family, RV, or just a small tent you want to set up. There are a ton of RV sites, some with full hookups and some without any, and a few tent-only sites.
The latter are first-come-first-serve, so even if you haven't made a reservation, there's still likely to be something available if you get there mid-afternoon.
You should choose Salt Creek Campground if you love having amenities like flush toilets, potable water, camp hosts, showers, and fire pits.
Salt Creek Campground Amenities
The many amenities you'll have access to at Salt Creek Campground include:
Coin-operated showers
Flushable toilets and vault toilets
Potable water
RV hook-ups
Playground
Picnic tables
Ocean-side trails
Paved roads and parking
Large picnic shelter
Salt Creek Campground Reservations
You can make reservations for Salt Creek Campground but must do so at least 7 days in advance.
The reservation system for the peak season opens on January 1st of each year, for dates between February and October. The rest of the year is first-come-first-serve.
Make reservations for Salt Creek Campground. Make sure to bring your receipt with you!
Salt Creek Campground Price
There are different prices depending on whether you choose a utility or non-utility site and if you're a resident of Clallam County or not.
Non-utility sites have no water or electricity and utility sites have electricity and seasonal water.
Non-Utility and Clallam County Resident: $22.00 a night
Non-Utility and Non-Clallam Country Resident: $28.00 a night
Utility and Clallam County Resident: $26.00 a night
Utility and Non-Clallam County Resident: $32.00 a night
Here are some more pricing options you may be interested in:
Per extra vehicle: $5.00
Reservation fee: $10.00
Cancellation fee: $10.00
Dump Station (for day-use visitors): $10.00
Day Use: No fee
Showers: Coin-operated
Firewood: $5.00 per bundle
The campground also has a reservable picnic shelter. The large shelter is in the center of the main campground and is $80 a day. It includes picnic tables, a sink, electricity, cook tops, counters, barbeque grills, a fireplace, and more.
Rules and Regulations
There are a few rules and regulations to keep in mind at Salt Creek Campground:
Check-out time: Noon
Check-in time: None. You can choose a site as long as there is no metal reservation sign on the number post.
The gate hours for the park vary depending on the time of year. Make sure you have your car back inside the gate before closing or you'll have to walk to your site:
May-September: 6 AM to 10 PM
October - April: 7 AM to 9 PM
No alcohol or drug use is allowed on the premises, and pets should remain on a leash at all times.
What to Do Near Salt Creek Campground?
Salt Creek Campground is a perfect jumping-off point for various adventures around the Port Angeles area. Near Salt Creek Campground, you can:
Hike in Olympic National Park
Swim and surf in the Pacific Ocean
Take walks on the beach
Shop in Port Angeles
Visit Lake Crescent
The ever-popular Lake Crescent is only a short drive from the campground. It's a not-to-be-missed attraction in the Port Angeles area that's well-known as the second-deepest lake in Washington after Lake Chelan.
Learn more about the sights in Olympic National park with Traverse the Pacific Northwest's 13 Surprising Facts.
Hiking Near Salt Creek Campground
Here are a few of our favorite trails near Salt Creek Campground that you might want to visit while you're there:
1. Striped Peak Trail
The gorgeous and popular Striped Peak Trail begins near the Salt Creek Campground entrance and provides expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and the cove.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
5 miles | 1,500 feet | 3 hours | 4/10 |
This is a moderate trail and should take between 2.5 and 4 hours to complete. You'll want to stop to check out all the incredible views so you can spend all day here! Make sure to bring some bug spray if you're there in the summer.
2. Olympic Discovery Trail - Elwha River
The section of the Olympic Discovery trail near Salt Creek Campground is around 9 miles long and an easy, albeit fairly long, putting that will take you from the banks of the Elwha River to the beginning of Ediz Hook near the paper mill.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
9 miles | 700 feet | 3 hours | 2/10 |
While not particularly challenging, this is a long walk, especially if you're going to go all the way out and back. Consider going halfway and turning around to get the most out of your day! Or drive into Port Angeles and spend part of the day at Ediz Hook to see the views on that end of the trail too.
3. Elwha Beach Trail
The short but gorgeous Elwha Beach Trail is a quintessential Pacific Northwest Beach walk. On most days, you're going to be moving through the foggy morning air and enjoying the incredible white clouds around you.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
1 mile | 30 feet | 20 minutes | 1/10 |
If you're lucky, you might spot orcas or seals while exploring the beach. You'll also be close to the Elwha Wildlife Area which you might want to check out.
Check out Traverse the Pacific Northwest's guide to the 10 Best Hikes in Olympic National Park for many more awesome options!
Campgrounds Near Salt Creek Recreation Area
If you can't find a site at Salt Creek Campground, try these other options:
Fairholme Campground - on the banks of Lake Crescent
Lyre River Campground - free with a Discovery Pass (only 11 sites)
Ranger Creek Campground - near Port Angeles