Posted in Washington Nature May 21, 2021 by

There’s A Little Known Unique Park In Washington… And It’s Truly Breathtaking

If you’ve never been on the Olympic Peninsula, you may not know about Salt Creek Recreation Area. This unique county park is just west of Port Angeles, along US Route 101 not far from Joyce. But it isn’t like most other parks in Washington. Salt Creek was previously a former defense military base during World War II, known as Camp Hayden. It now just serves as one of the most scenic places to camp, explore tide pools, old military bunkers, and relax on the beach with extraordinary views. This hidden park in Washington is absolutely worth exploring, and here’s why:

Salt Creek Recreation Area is a picture-perfect blend of lush forest, rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, and some of the most amazing tide pools to explore.
Emergency Brake/Flickr
Tongue Point, located on the west end of the park, also features this iconic, tree-covered sea stack formation just offshore in Crescent Bay.
There's a little something for everyone at this hidden park.
Kaliko P./Yelp
You'll find a playground for kids, as well as trails, beaches, and old remnants from World War II - including two bunkers you can hike out to see.
A short trek through the woods will lead you to these two huge concrete bunkers from the war.
Travelerkaye/Trip Advisor
Back in the day, they housed 16" cannons and several other, smaller bunkers to help defend the coastline.
Wildlife is another spectacular feature at Salt Creek.
ZhongX/TripAdvisor
At low tide, you may be able to spot sea stars, mussels, and clams around the shores. Deer can also be seen walking curiously around the grassy fields.
There's more than just tide pools to explore; you'll also be able to find plenty of hiking trails throughout the park.
David Fulmer/Flickr
Perhaps the most popular route is Striped Peak, which kicks off near the park's entrance booth and winds through forest until ascending to a viewpoint. From the top, you'll be rewarded with vistas of the Strait, Vancouver Island in B.C., and even the Cascades.
Not up for hiking? You can always just kick back and relax on the sandy beach.
Nicole June/Flickr
The park also provides 92 campsites - many of which overlook the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A lot of the spots can be reserved, but they also have some that are just first come, first serve.

For more information, check out the recreation area's website here.

Isn’t this area just beautiful? Did you know about this hidden park in Washington? Have you been to Salt Creek before? Please share your experiences at this beautiful gem in the comments below!

For another off-the-beaten path place in Washington worth exploring, be sure to check out Rialto Beach.

Address: Salt Creek Recreation Area, Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Park In Washington

May 26, 2021
Sarah

What are the most beautiful places in Washington?

The state of Washington is positively filled to the brim with beautiful places, from towering mountain peaks and rushing waterfalls to dense forests and stunning shorelines. It’s true that you can experience pure Northwest bliss almost anywhere in the state, but you’ll definitely want to check out these 15 must-see places in Washington that really epitomize the state’s incredible beauty.

Does Washington have many beaches?

With over 157 miles of coastline, Washington has an abundance of beautiful coastal beaches just waiting to be discovered! Salt Creek in Washington is merely one of the state’s many beautiful beaches; others include Shi Shi Beach, Rosario Beach, Copalis Beach, and Owen Beach. One of our absolute favorite Washington beaches, however, is Rialto Beach, a little slice of paradise in the Olympic National Park. The coastline is lined with driftwood, tide pools, seashells, and sea stars — and you can even spot sea stacks covered in trees located just off-shore. It’s a Washington treasure that simply must be experienced.

Where are some of the most scenic places in Washington?

Washington is full of scenic splendor everywhere you turn. If you’re looking to take in the beauty of The Evergreen State by car, you’ll definitely want to check out these scenic backroads. State Route 821, also known as the Canyon Road, runs from a junction with I-82 south of Ellensburg to another junction north of Selah. The route follows the Yakima River through a deep canyon surrounded by sagebrush hills. You’ll find more scenic beauty along the Chinook Scenic Byway, which meanders through Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. Of course, some of the most scenic places in Washington are its natural wonders — and you can view them all along this epic natural wonder road trip we put together!

Address: Salt Creek Recreation Area, Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA