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Camp Hayden & the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area

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Just 15 miles west of Port Angeles is the Salt Creek Recreation Area. It’s a popular camping area but also perfect for picnicking, hiking, exploring tide pools and the remains of the WWII military camp.

Stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca can be seen from the Bluff Trail in the Salt Creek Recreation Area. On a clear day, you can even see out to Victoria BC. We arrived on a typical foggy day but the views out on the peninsula were beautiful nonetheless.

Here are photos from the Bluff Trail and various view points around the park.

Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
wildflowers, Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Hiking the Bluff Trail in Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area

The Salt Creek Recreation Area was previously Camp Hayden, a 518-acre WWII military camp built in 1942 and named after General John L. Hayden (the former commanding officer of Puget Sound harbor defenses). Most of the military evidence has been disbanded but what does remain is hard to miss. 😉

Camp Hayden WWII Pill Box Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area

A large concrete casemate which once housed two large guns that were 45 feet long, five feet thick, and tapered to 16 inches in diameter (these guns were test fired only once).

Camp Hayden WWII Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Camp Hayden WWII Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Camp Hayden WWII Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Camp Hayden WWII Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area

The installation was abandoned by the military in 1948. The guns were turned into 500 tons of scrap which were worth $30 a ton.

Camp Hayden WWII Bunker in the Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles, Washington State - American Expeditioners /camp-hayden-salt-creek-recreation-area
Salt Creek Recreation Area Overview
Coordinates / Address
3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363 		Fees / Permit
Day Use: FREE / None ($22-$25 fee charged for camping) 		Difficulty
Bluff Trail – Easy
Usage
Moderate 		Pets allowed
Yes 		Camera Info
Canon 6D + Canon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS
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