Pillar Point County Park is a compact Clallam County day-use site for anglers and small-boat crews who want direct access to the eastern side of Washington’s Marine Area 5. Its concrete ramp reaches a saltwater beach along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but this is a modest, tide-sensitive launch—not a full-service marina. Use this guide to plan the ramp, parking, fishing rules, facilities and cold-water safety before you leave Highway 112.
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Pillar Point quick facts
- Official site: Pillar Point County Park
- Location: Pillar Point Road, Clallam Bay, WA 98326
- Coordinates: 48.1980247, -124.1010932
- Setting: 4.3-acre Clallam County day-use park on the Strait of Juan de Fuca
- Water access: Saltwater beach and concrete launch ramp for small boats
- Facilities: Vault toilets, covered picnic area, benches, fire pit and shelter
- Camping: The current county listing identifies Pillar Point as a day-use park; do not plan to camp here
Confirm park details on the official Clallam County facility page before traveling.
Getting to the ramp
The park sits off State Route 112 on Pillar Point Road, about 35 miles west of Port Angeles according to Clallam County. Use the signed park entrance rather than navigating to a general “Pillar Point” pin. The final map below uses the county’s official street address; the coordinates above come from the county facility record.
The county does not publish a trailer-space count or a detailed staging diagram. Arrive with your rig organized, keep the ramp approach clear, and avoid assuming there will be room to turn or queue a large trailer. If the site is busy or the tide is unsuitable, the full-service alternatives around Sekiu and Clallam Bay are the safer choice.
A small-boat ramp that demands tide planning
Clallam County specifically describes the concrete ramp as suitable for small boats. An older Washington Department of Health shoreline survey described it as a high-tide launch, useful context that underscores the need to check the current tide table and inspect the ramp before backing down. Ramp reach, exposed beach and water depth can change substantially with the tide.
Do not treat this site like a deep-water marina. Know your boat’s draft, trailer requirements and recovery plan. Launch only when the ramp, tide, wind and swell all fit your equipment and experience. A hand-carried kayak or other small craft may be easier to manage, but paddlers face the same cold water and fast-changing Strait conditions.
Shore access and Marine Area 5 fishing
The beach provides shore access, while the ramp serves small trailered or hand-launched craft. WDFW places Pillar Point in Marine Area 5: Sekiu and Pillar Point, which extends from the Sekiu River mouth east to Low Point at the Lyre River mouth.
WDFW notes that underwater ridges off Pillar Point in roughly 200 to 400 feet of water are popular for halibut fishing. Salmon, lingcod and rockfish opportunities may also occur in Marine Area 5, but species openings, retention rules, depth restrictions and emergency changes vary. The presence of a launch never guarantees that a particular fishery is open.
Check regulations on the day you go
Review WDFW’s current fishing regulations and emergency-rule updates immediately before your trip. Carry the required license and know the boundaries, legal gear, seasons and catch limits for the species you intend to pursue.
As of October 7, 2026, WDFW lists recreational crab fishing in Sekiu and Pillar Point as open daily from October 1 through December 31. Check the current Marine Area 5 crab status before every trip because seasons and emergency rules can change.
Beach access also does not mean shellfish harvest is permitted or safe. Consult both WDFW rules and the Washington Department of Health’s Shellfish Safety Map for current closures and health advisories.
Facilities and accessibility
The county lists vault toilets, a covered picnic table area, benches, a fire pit and a shelter. It does not publish detailed accessibility measurements for the ramp, beach route or toilet in the facility description. Visitors who need a particular surface, slope, transfer space or accessible restroom configuration should contact Clallam County before traveling.
Bring drinking water, layers and everything needed for a self-contained outing. There is no verified fuel dock, fish-cleaning station, potable-water service or staffed office at the park.
Strait safety
- WDFW warns that Marine Area 5 commonly has strong currents and can receive west or northwest swell.
- Check marine weather, wind, swell and tides—not only the land forecast.
- Wear a properly fitted life jacket and dress for cold water. Hypothermia is possible even on a mild day.
- Carry reliable communication and navigation gear appropriate for exposed saltwater.
- Stay clear of commercial traffic and do not exceed the capability of a small craft.
- Inspect the ramp before launch and leave room to retrieve your boat as the tide changes.
Nearby access alternatives
For a year-round concrete ramp with marina services nearby, compare the Sekiu Water Access guide. Freshwater anglers and campers can also review the Lyre River Campground fishing-access guide. For another county-managed saltwater ramp farther east, compare the Freshwater Bay County Park guide.
Plan before departure
Use the county page for current park information, WDFW for live fishing rules, and official marine forecasts and tide predictions for conditions. Pillar Point can be a useful low-key access point when a small craft, a favorable tide and suitable weather all line up. If any one of those pieces does not fit, launch elsewhere.
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