Tucked between the majestic Olympic Mountains and shimmering waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca you’ll find Clallam County, in the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula. This area is a treasure trove of outdoor activities, cultural experiences and unforgettable memories for the whole family. A great place to start your family adventure in Clallam County is on a road trip along State Hwy 112, also known as the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway. Read on to learn how you and the family can embark on an adventure in Clallam County.
Elwha River Interpretive Center
This self-guided center offers an overview of the largest dam removal and restoration project in the United States which occurred on the nearby Elwha River (2011-2014). Nature trails lead from the parking lot to views of the Elwha River Gorge and the former site of the Elwha Dam.
Discover Freshwater Bay
Majestic evergreens offer a canopy of shade with paved pathways leading to picnic tables and covered shelters at Freshwater Bay County Park. Along the northern fence line, enjoy vistas of Bachelor Rock and the bay below. At the boat launch you’ll find kayakers and anglers heading out on the water. Marine mammals span the shoreline during certain tides so keep a lookout for river otters or even whales further out. For guided sea kayaking, check out Elevate Outdoors.
Check out Salt Creek Recreation Area
Salt Creek Recreation Area boasts 196 acres adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca with 92 scenic campsites, a playground, sand volleyball courts, horse-shoe pits, and a basketball court.
During low or minus daytime tides, ignite your kids’ curiosity with a tidepooling experience where they can get hands-on with sea stars, anemones, and other marine creatures. Summertime at low tide is one of the best times to visit a tidepool on the Olympic Peninsula.
Mountain bikers and hikers can access the Striped Peak Recreation Area from the western trailhead. Striped Peak is a 7.5-mile round trip trail with 850 feet elevation gain and the highest elevation point at 1,166 feet.
Also, at Salt Creek, local history comes alive via a short, wooded park trail leading to the WWII-era bunker and the story of Camp Hayden. Interpretive signage provides details of its historic significance. Take the kids exploring to find it—trust us, they’ll love the bunker!
Explore Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary
Walk a little further from the Salt Creek area to the point and you’ll find Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary. It’s located on the ancestral land of the S’Klallam people with another campground, hiking trails and a haven of marine life. When the tide recedes, hundreds of small tide pools are revealed, just waiting for discovery. As with the tide pools at Salt Creek, they’re filled with a wide variety of marine creatures.
Experience Joyce Daze
On the first Saturday of August, join with the locals in celebrating Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival. Indulge in a pancake breakfast followed by a crafts fair, live entertainment, and an array of kids activities. Add to that, culinary taste treats like a salmon bake and blackberry pie, the likes of which have made this festival famous and not to be missed. What’s not to love about blackberry pie?!
If you don’t make it for the Wild Blackberry Festival, don’t worry. You can always stop by the renowned Blackberry Cafe in Joyce for blackberry pancakes, blackberry shakes, blackberry BBQ and of course blackberry pie!
Before you leave the charm of Joyce, head to the Joyce Depot Museum to catch a glimpse of local history. This historic log cabin-style train station was built in 1915 by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. It’s home to many artifacts, photos, maps and documents from by-gone days in the Joyce area.
Enjoy Lyre River and Lyre Conservation Area
Eight and a half miles west, the Lyre River spills into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Just east of the river you’ll find the 280-acre Lyre Conservation Area. Park at the trailhead and take the perfect low-key family hike to the beach. The 2.5-mile roundtrip trail is wide and easy, ideal for letting the kids run off their steam from riding in the car!
The conservation area provides habitat for salmon, migratory and resident sea birds and other wildlife. This makes for a great learning opportunity for the little ones to better understand the importance of habitat for the peninsula’s native species. An added bonus is the quiet, little-known campground tucked away on the Lyre River near the Lyre Conservation Area.
Visit Neah Bay and the Makah Tribe
Drive west on State Hwy 112 to the end of the road and you’ll find Neah Bay, home of the Makah Tribe. The tribe has called spectacular Neah Bay home since time immemorial. The Makah people lived in a world that revolved around the sea and land. This year, join the tribe for the 100th Annual Makah Day Celebration August 23-25.
A must-see stop is the Makah Cultural and Research Center. The museum interprets and houses 300-500 year-old artifacts recovered from the Ozette Archaeological Site. Here the tribe shares their history with additional historic and replica pieces plus photographs on display in the museum.
And before you go, hike the 1.5-mile roundtrip trail to Cape Flattery, the most northwestern point in the contiguous US, for scenic views that are breathtaking.
Embark on a family adventure in Clallam County. It’s a four-season playground of natural wonders, cultural treasures and endless family fun. Pack your bags, load up the kids in the car and head out to the Olympic Peninsula to create lasting memories in this Pacific Northwest paradise.
Click HERE for upcoming events on the Olympic Peninsula.
