PORT ANGELES — Clallam County’s park and recreation department is planning new campsites at the Salt Creek Recreation Area for users of the Cascadia Marine Trail, a non-motorized boat trail from south Puget Sound northward.
Next week, county commissioners will discuss an agreement with the Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) to set up and maintain these sites.
County Parks, Fair, and Facilities Manager Don Crawford said the trail serves kayakers and canoeists.
“They have trails all around the Puget Sound, and now they’re wanting to start coming up the straight. They’ve got trail sights on Whidbey Island and in the San Juans. So now they’re wanting to come this way, and the easiest no-brainer was Salt Creek since it’s right on the water,” said Crawford.
The new campsites will cost around $15,000 to develop, with annual maintenance expected to be $1,500. Costs are covered by the WWTA through grants and donations. They will be about a quarter-mile from the existing sites near the mouth of Salt Creek and will be available to hikers, bikers, and kayakers for up to two nights.
The Cascadia Marine Trail, a National Recreation Trail, has 66 campsites and 160 day-use sites, suitable for both day trips and longer stays.