Salish Cliffs Golf Club

Salish Cliffs opened in 2011, designed by Gene Bates and owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe as part of the Little Creek Casino Resort. Carved from the forests of the Kamilche Valley about 20 minutes north of Olympia, it is widely considered one of Bates\'s finest designs among his 150+ worldwide.

Ranked among Golfweek\'s Top 100 Resort Courses. Sixteen of eighteen holes route through thick Pacific Northwest forest, but Bates carved generously wide fairways so corridors never feel claustrophobic. No residential development is planned, preserving the wilderness character.

Dense Pacific Northwest forest with towering evergreens, native ferns, and moss-covered rock outcroppings frame every hole. Significant elevation changes — the course climbs and drops through the Kamilche Valley. Bent grass greens are large and sloping.

Each hole feels secluded and private with no housing development. The tribal ownership ensures the wilderness setting will be permanently preserved.

Stay-and-play packages through Little Creek Casino Resort offer good value. Year-round play available.

Take a cart — the elevation changes between holes are substantial and walking is very difficult.

Downhill holes play shorter; uphill holes play much longer. Adjust club selection for the significant elevation changes.

The large, sloping greens reward players who study pin positions carefully. Being on the wrong tier means a long, difficult putt.

Club selection on the par 3s is critical given the elevation changes throughout.