But when low tide is at 7:00 a.m. and there are tidepools just steps from our front door, I’m there, coffee mug in hand; ready to discover the treasures revealed by the ebbing tide.
Jewels Of The Tidepools
Delicate rose-tinted and brilliant lime green anemones, crimson sea stars, tiny darting sculpin, and pearl-like snails crowd together in shallow pools, awaiting the returning tide. Mussels and gooseneck barnacles encrust the rocks, providing an all-you-can-shuck buffet for gulls, ravens, and oystercatchers.
Moonglow Anemone
Just beyond the rocks, flotillas of comical-billed Surf Scoters and paint-by-number Harlequin Ducks paddle close by. Salt Creek Recreation Area is renowned as one of the finest places on the West Coast for tide pools. We agree.
Surf Scoters and their comical, colorful bills
There are several places to access the tidepools. Our favorite is Tongue Point, a marine preserve at the far northwestern point of the park. It’s also the best place to view sunset, perched on the rocks overlooking the ocean.
A pretty little island just offshore
Sunset at Tongue Point
Nearby Port Angeles
Salt Creek Recreation Area is located only 15 miles from Port Angeles, a town we’ve zipped through on other journeys with no more than a passing glance. But like the tidepools, taking a closer look reveals the treasures of this small port town.
Above Port Angeles
The waterfront is lovely, with an ever-changing outdoor art exhibition throughout the downtown area. We replenished our food supplies at a wonderful farmers market near the waterfront—it’s small, but abundant with organic produce, grass-fed and pastured meats, and locally caught salmon.
The Olympic Discovery Trail (a dedicated biking/walking trail) also passes through Port Angeles. We picked up a scenic section in downtown and rode 14 miles (round trip) that took us along the waterfront with spectacular views of the harbor, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Canada in the distance.
We were at Salt Creek for five days, and could have easily spent two weeks (the maximum allowed at the park). In addition to the excellent tidepooling at the park, we found plenty to occupy ourselves with a couple of trips to Port Angeles, and a couple of adventures in nearby Olympic National Park (blog post to come).
About The Campground
A few things you should know should you consider staying at Salt Creek Recreation Area. The first words Eric said when we pulled into the park, “This is not what I had in mind.” He has a serious allergic reaction to being too close to campground neighbors, unless they’re already friends.
Full house at the campground
The campground is divided into two sections; the no-hookup section caters to tent campers. There are some attractive secluded sites with ocean views, but very few sites that can accommodate an RV.
The RV section is laid out something like a drive-in theatre, with three rows of close-together sites facing the ocean. Stunning views, if you simply look straight ahead. Otherwise, you’re looking at the side of your neighbor’s rig, and there’s no privacy whatsoever. We just kept our side blinds closed.
Other things to know: There are electric and water hookups, but no sewer. RV sites are $27 per night. The bathhouses are adequate. Half of the sites in the park can be reserved; the other half are first-come, first-served. We enjoyed the first-come first-served sites in the RV section—we had a front row seat.
Front row seat at Salt Creek Campground
Hmmm…wonderful post, beautiful photos of all those sweet sea creatures at low tide. I loved it all…until I saw the campground. You are right….would you really stay there longer? I also have a bit of trouble with such close quarters. Sigh. I might have to let Port Angeles be on the list of places we pass through rather than stay. I do plan on a ferry trip to Victoria from there to visit friends on the Island and the Campbell River. Thanks for the great photos, Laurel.
Sue, despite the close quarters, we really would stay there again. It was so beautiful, and remarkably peaceful, and I just loved being able to walk to the tide pools at any time as well as hike along the bluff. However — I don’t think I would go there between Memorial Day and Labor Day, because it’s packed all of the time. We were there mid-September, and the park was only full on the weekend.
Thanks for the information about the RV park and the picture of the close quarters. That was how I felt about Portal in Moab but if you are gone all the time and tired when you come home, I can see how it would be worth the squeeze to be so near those fantastic tide pools. Your pictures are tremendous. I think you guys could write a travel column……seriously.
Thanks, Sherry — you say the nicest things. :-) We greatly enjoyed our time at the park; I agree with you, it was worth the squeeze for the fabulous location.
One of the things I miss the most since our kids grew up is not having a young person with whom to dabble in tide pools: poke at anemones, find the prettiest hermit crab, etc. I know I could just walk out there and do it myself, but somehow it’s not as much fun. Incidentally, when we spent half a year in Maine, we noticed that our kids were total west coast tidepool snobs: the Maine ones just didn’t measure up. Guess those tender critters can’t survive the cold air at low tide!
Gretchen, I vaguely remember the tide pools on the East coast of New England, and remember how stunned I was at the brilliant beauty of the tide pool creatures on the West coast. You’re probably right, they can’t survive the cold temps at low tide. We should go tide pooling together; I always feel like a kid.
I really need to get somewhere so I can investigate tide pools. I think I could get out early for that, also:) Good to hear we aren’t the only ones not out before sunrise. We have that same leisurely start as you do.
Thanks for the great info about the park and the near by area. We find ourselves close often because we are FHU people. But as Sherry said, we are the type that are gone most of the day we don’t spend much time sitting outside. But we do enjoy having our neighbors angled and a good distance.
Pam, you two are among the most active people I know, so it makes me happy that you also don’t feel like you have to get out before sunrise. :-) We didn’t spend any time sitting outside near the trailer, but we spent hours exploring the tide pools and walking the trails.
Couldn’t agree more, tidepools are wonderful! One of my favorite things to do. We were unfortunate in our timing when we were in the PNW, minus tides were rarely at a time when we could get to them, or were staying near tidepool areas.
That is a neat area to explore and we enjoyed Salt Creek on a day trip, would like to stay there some time.
Yes, timing is everything for tide pools! That’s why it was so wonderful to stay where the tide pools were right outside our door and I could go in my pajamas if I wanted to.
As always you have captured the world around you in such a beautiful light. Thanks for sharing.
When are you going to be back in the valley. We don’t want to miss you this time around!
Thanks, Sue — We arrived a week ago and are settling in — we’re looking forward to sharing some beautiful adventures in the valley with you!
I too love playing in the tide pools. There is so much to discover, if you look close enough. This is a place we must add to our WA list. Although the sites are close together, it certainly looks like you got one of the prime spots.
We did get a good site, LuAnn — actually, all of the RV sites have great views, because they’re arranged in three stacking rows, amphitheater style. If you’re going to reserve a site, I would suggest the top row, because there won’t be anyone behind you. And if you opt for a non-reservable site, you get the front row, which is pretty sweet.
Your photography just keeps getting better!
Thanks, we certainly enjoy the process!
WOW, Laurel your pictures are popping vividly. Those sea creatures are gorgeous.
Growing up near a beach, I too had a great time tide pooling but very different than what you had experienced.
I’m with Eric, tight quarters are not just desirable with exception of course, and in your case the views.
ML, it’s interesting how different the tide pools are in different parts of the country — and I’m thinking you’re talking about the Philippines, which must be really different! The tight quarters were definitely worth it for the experience.