Salt Creek Recreation Area in Eastern Washington State: Park is Full of the Unexpected

We used to go camping quite often while I was growing up on the eastern side of Washington State. We camped at several places within the state. One of the places we found pretty much by accident is Salt Creek Recreation Area. Sandwiched between the rugged Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (pronounced de F-you-ca), the scenery in the nearly 200 acre park is absolutely breathtaking.

For themore adventurous, there are several miles of hiking trails into the dense forest within and surrounding the park. Some of these trails lead to observation points nearby, while a much longer trail leads to the top of a nearby mountain peak called Striped Peak which passes by several observation points from where you can view the Strait below, Canada across the Strait, or watch eagles play.

For the less adventurous, there is an area that can be enjoyed by all. Near the entrance to the park you will find a picnic area . Here, there is a basketball court, volleyball court, and horseshoe pits for the whole family to enjoy.

Camping fees are quite reasonable starting at $16.00 (2009 rates) for basic camp sites -- hook-ups are a little more. There are two types of campsites within the park. The first type you come across soon after entering the park, are the RV sites. These are on leveled tiers where from each site you can see the Strait and across to Vancouver Island, Canada. The other type of campsites are in the wooded area and are used by tents as well as RV's. Some have views of the water and others do not. The water view sites do go much faster, but can be reserved all year long.

There is a beautiful sandy beach which can be accessed either by a steep trail from the campground area or by a short drive. When the tide is out, you can walk to and hike around an island, just don't get stuck out there when the tide comes back in, or you may have to swim back.

One of the most well known areas of the park is the tide pools. These are areas where marine life can be observed, sometimes in great abundance. There is a stairway from the campground out to tongue point (see map ) where you can see anenomes, urchins, starfish, and sometimes baby octopus and crabs. Once again, watch the tide, because you can get stuck out there if you venture out too far into the pools. There is also a place near the picnic area where you can sit on the boulders and watch the waves crash below. If you get close enough, you may also get wet. Before you arrive, pick up a tide chart so you will know when the optimal viewing times will be.

On the hill, a short walk from the camp sites is an Old WWII fort called Camp Hayden. You can drive/walk through the bunkers and peer through the peep holes in the doors. Inside the first bunker (if you drive through) you will find old shells from the WWII era. The old fort was built to protect the United States coastline from enemy forces.

Just outside the park is an equestrian area where you may enjoy the trails by horseback.

Nearby Attractions: (all mileages are to the town of Joyce)
Port Angeles -- 14 miles (from Port Angeles to Joyce)
-- ferry to Canada
-- Edda's Hook
Sequim -- 26 miles
-- Dungeness Spit
Hurricane Ridge -- (20 miles from Port Angeles)

mileages from Washington Atlas and Gazetteer , Rand McNally Road Atlas of the United States, Canada, and Mexico 1996, and the Roadmaster 2007 portable Road Atlas by Mapquest.