Crescent Beach WA Guide (Things to Do & RV Park Review!)
Crescent Beach in Washington is a sandy, private beach with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island.
I loved walking the beach at dusk when we stayed here for a 3-day holiday weekend. The sky was mesmerizing, with thin layers of orange and crimson stretching across the horizon and a low-lying haze hanging almost mystically in the air.
➥ In this guide, I’ll share all the fun things to do here, my firsthand Crescent Beach RV Park review, and essential tips to help you prepare for an unforgettable visit.
Grab your frisbee, and let’s go!
No RV? No Problem!
Rent an RV or book a cabin at Crescent Beach for fun-filled beach activities like exploring Salt Creek’s tide pools. Lake Crescent is only twenty minutes away!
Crescent Beach WA Quick Guide
Crescent Beach and Salt Creek Recreation Area are conveniently located next to each other, making it easy to explore both when you stay at either Port Angeles location.
Things to Know
- Private Beach: A day-use fee of $8 per person and pet (included with your stay) is required.
- Wristbands Required: Signs state you must wear one while on the beach.
- No Lifeguard on Duty: The waves and currents are strong enough for surfing, so I don’t recommend swimming here.
- Dogs Must Be Leashed: I love dogs, so I didn’t mind that two jumped on me! But not everyone does, so please respect the comfort of all visitors.
- Public Facilities: A vault toilet is available at Salt Creek Parking Lot.
- Campground Amenities: Showers are available at Crescent Beach RV Park.
- Salt Creek: It flows onto the beach and can be tricky to cross earlier in the year when water levels are higher and the tide is in.
- Marine Life Sanctuary: Salt Creek’s shoreline is a designated marine sanctuary, so respect the ecosystems you encounter and leave no trace.
As you drive on Crescent Beach Road, you’ll see a sign marking the entrance to the private property where Crescent Beach RV Park is located. It’s less obvious when walking the beach.
Lake Crescent is a short drive through the small town of Joyce, where you’ll find restaurants and a gas station at the Joyce General Store.
Things to Do at Crescent Beach Port Angeles
1. Stay at Crescent Beach RV Park
Crescent Beach RV Park offers three accommodations: tent camping, full and partial hookup RV spots, and two cozy cabins.
Staying at least one night gives you the best opportunity to experience tide pools at Salt Creek and witness the beach’s changing beauty throughout the day.
The weather was fantastic when we stayed over the Labor Day holiday weekend. We lucked out because it had rained a lot in our region in the weeks before our trip, so the burn ban was lifted. This meant we could enjoy the taste of fire-roasted bratwursts for dinner.
Be prepared for mosquitoes due to the creek water running behind the campgrounds.
I’ve included a section below on staying at Crescent Beach RV Park.
TIP: Book more than six months in advance to secure an RV spot. I booked for Labor Day weekend in March, and only three RV spots were available!
2. Beach Activities
Morning beach walks are a calm, peaceful, and reflective experience, while afternoons are lively with kids and dogs running wild.
Campers enjoy free access, but day visitors need to pay a fee—including for their dogs. Despite this, the day-use parking at the RV Park was nearly full.
On my early afternoon beach walk towards Tongue Point, I saw a family tossing a football and another flying a kite. Small children industriously built sandcastles along the shore.
Salt Creek water flowing onto the beach is shallow this time of year, but you’ll want to wear sandals or go barefoot when crossing it.
Tongue Point, a rocky landscape abundant with marine life, is easily accessible when the tide is out, although you’ll have to navigate over slippery rocks.
RELATED POST:
Guide to Salt Creek Recreation Area & Campground
3. Surfing, Kayaking & SUP
Crescent Beach is a popular spot for surfers, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders (SUP).
Surfers flock here year-round, drawn to its reliable surf breaks and quick access from the RV Park and the facilities available.
I also saw sea kayakers and families on SUPs venturing to calmer waters beyond the breaks. Some wore wetsuits to stay protected, while others opted to wear life vests.
The RV Park does not offer equipment rentals for water sports. Check out Port Angeles shops like Sound Bikes & Kayaks for gear.
4. Sunset Beach Walks
Evenings are a completely different vibe from the day’s energetic beach activities. As the sun lowers, the ambiance transforms.
The sky formed a thin layer of vibrant pinks and oranges along the horizon. The outline of the Vancouver Mountains framed the view and took on shades of purple.
Walking along the beach at dusk, I noticed a couple lounging on fold-out chairs, snuggled under blankets, soaking in the views, while children admired their sand creations from the day.
Small jumping bugs seemed to be everywhere as I walked in my Tevas, but they didn’t seem to bite, unlike the mosquitoes!
5. Salt Creek Tide Pooling & Hiking
We were fortunate to visit when minus tides occurred on back-to-back mornings, extending excellent tide-pooling conditions into the early afternoon.
TIP: Check the tide schedule before arriving, in case you don’t have cell service.
Tide Pooling at Tongue Point
We started by parking in a day-use spot near the four entry points to Tongue Point, opting to stay to the right of Tongue Point, away from the crowds. When the tide is out, the coastline here offers some of the most breathtaking views on the Olympic Peninsula, rivaling even those on Olympic National Park beaches.
This was my second time tide-pooling at Salt Creek this year, and I didn’t see any sea stars again. But still, we saw plenty of marine life: pink and green anemones, darting crabs, small fish, pink algae, and even a mossy chiton, which I’d never seen before!
This shoreline is a protected marine sanctuary. In years past, I’ve seen people take sea stars from Tongue Point, which is illegal per Clallam County legislation. Please respect this precious environment.
Hiking the Striped Peak Loop Trail
After tide-pooling, we drove to the main day-use area to start the Striped Peak Loop Trail.
Feeling ambitious, we planned to hike the entire 6.5-mile loop. But, as usual, we headed to the cove, explored, and put our ambitions to rest.
Hiking to the cove, you hear the sound of waves lapping the shore. The forest is surprisingly beautiful, especially when you see water through the towering trees. We’ve done this hike four times, and I remark on how stunning this forest is each time.
TIP: Wear sturdy shoes with good tread for navigating slippery rocks.
EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATION:
Lake Crescent is twenty minutes away to add lake adventures to your itinerary. Jump into the aquamarine waters at Devil’s Punchbowl, tackle Mount Storm King hike’s ropes for an iconic lake view, or hike through impressive old-growth forest to Marymere Falls.
Crescent Beach RV Park Review
As long as you know what to expect, this is a fantastic place to stay.
Sites are close to one another. I stared directly at our neighbor’s picnic table from our RV sink window. If you want privacy, this isn’t the place for you.
I knew this before booking, and we enjoyed our stay immensely. It also helped that our neighbors were lovely!
Accommodations
- RV Sites: Full and partial hookups are available.
- Tent Camping: The best tent sites for water views and access are on the west end toward Port Crescent.
- Two Cabins (no pets allowed): The Sandpiper Cabin accommodates up to 4 guests, while the Kingfisher Cabin accommodates up to 6 guests. Note that prices listed online are for 2-person occupancy; there’s an extra charge of $10 per day for each additional guest.
No RV? No Problem!
Rent an RV or book a cabin.
Amenities
- Free WiFi: The signal is strongest near the office and becomes unreliable the further you are from it.
- Facilities: Picnic tables, private fire pits, clean restrooms, coin-operated showers and laundry facilities.
- Recreation: Beachfront horseshoe pits and a volleyball court
- Store: Essentials, ice cream, and wood for sale
TIP: Our AT&T service worked great during our stay. I even watched movies on my phone in the evenings. The staff mentioned that AT&T generally does well, but Verizon can be spotty.
Natural Setting
The wetlands and Salt Creek behind the campgrounds are why mosquitoes are plentiful in the evenings. I read reviews beforehand and came prepared with citronella incense and candles, which helped. Thankfully, they weren’t too bad during the day.
If you’re prone to bites, wear pants in the evening and bring hooded, long-sleeved clothing.
TIP: Manage mosquitoes by arriving prepared with citronella products and bug spray. They were less active during the day and I was fine wearing shorts and a T-shirt in the afternoon.
Water Views
The sound of crashing waves in the morning was an incredible way to start the day.
We stayed at RV Site #23 which had a water view that was slightly obscured by trees and shrubs. Sites to the left (if facing the water) had clearer views, while those to the right had worse or no view at all. However, one of the paths leading directly to the beach was conveniently located to our right.
Customer Service
The staff was very friendly when responding to my emails and during check-in. They even offered to help us back up our RV.
A staff member kept returning in his golf cart to check on our neighbors who were unprepared for the mosquitoes, providing them with bug spray.
I have only positive things to say about the service here!
How to Get to Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is roughly 30 minutes from downtown Port Angeles.
- From US-101 West: Turn right onto WA-112 West, the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway, a national byway that takes you to Cape Flattery, renowned for its breathtaking coastal views.
- From WA-112 West: Turn right onto Camp Hayden Road and continue on the bend heading left as you pass signs for Salt Creek Recreation Area.
- Arrival: You’ll see the beach on your right, and signs will prompt you to check in at the office before entering the private beach.
TIP: An alternative option is to park at the Salt Creek Beach Parking Lot instead of the day-use parking at the RV Park. From there, walk down along the creek and massive forested cliffs and head left on foot.
Where to Stay
If the campgrounds are full or you prefer staying in hotels, here are three other places I’ve stayed on the Olympic Peninsula.
Salt Creek Campground
It’s one of our favorite places to RV camp and conveniently located next to the beach!
Emerald Valley Inn
I loved everything about my stay, especially eating at Granny’s Cafe next door. Emerald Valley Inn is 25 minutes from the beach.
Terra Vista Chalet
When I stayed here, the sound of the Elwha River from my balcony soothed me to sleep. Terra Vista Chalet is 23 minutes from the beach.
Weather & Safety
Expect chilly weather and wind, and always bring layers, including a waterproof jacket, even in summer. During our stay, temperatures dropped significantly on the last evening, so we bundled up in our hooded softshell jackets.
Thick white clouds covered the coastal views on our last evening, prompting us to drive to Lake Crescent for sunset. I was surprised by how different the weather was just twenty minutes inland.
I don’t recommend swimming at Crescent Beach due to strong waves and rip currents—there’s no lifeguard here. Never turn your back on the water if you or your children wade and play at the shore’s edge.
If you venture to the prominent sea stack in Crescent Bay near Salt Creek Campground, watch the tide to avoid getting stranded.
Tips for Visiting
- Check the Tide Schedule: Plan your visit around low tide to enjoy tide pools at Salt Creek. Be mindful of rising tides, especially around Tongue Point and the sea stack.
- Respect Private Property: Crescent Beach’s property line ends at the wood rainbow-painted pole. Visitors aren’t allowed beyond this point.
- Campground Facilities: If you’ve paid the day-use fee, you can use the shower and rinse-off station. Bring quarters and waterproof sandals for the shower.
- Pack Essentials: Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. The nearest convenience store is in Joyce, 7 minutes away, but the RV Park office has items for sale, including ice cream!
- Bring Your Own Gear: There are no kayak, boat, or paddle rentals available, so bring your equipment.
- Bring Your Camera: The coastlines and views offer stunning photo opportunities, especially at sunset.
- Leave No Trace: Help protect this incredible place by cleaning up after yourself and your group. I always make it a point to pick up garbage I see on beaches and trails.
- Be Prepared for Spotty Cell Service: Know where to go when leaving the beach if you can’t access your phone’s navigation.
Wrap-Up: Crescent Beach Washington
Crescent Beach is one of the best beaches in Port Angeles. Sunset beach walks here are spectacular and just one of many reasons I’d return.
From water sports to fun family beach activities and excellent tide-pooling, there’s plenty to enjoy for an unforgettable visit.