Salmon runs are one of nature’s most incredible wildlife spectacles. Watching thousands of salmon swim upstream to spawn is an unforgettable experience that reconnects us to the natural world. If you want to witness this amazing event up close, here are the best places to see salmon runs near you this year.
Understanding the Salmon Lifecycle
Before heading out to observe spawning salmon it helps to understand their lifecycle. Salmon are anadromous fish meaning they hatch in freshwater streams, migrate to the ocean to feed and mature, and then return to their birthplace to spawn and die.
The salmon lifecycle looks like this:
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Eggs hatch into juvenile salmon, called fry. They feed and grow in their home streams for 1-5 years.
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The juveniles transform into smolt and migrate downstream to the ocean. They spend 1-5 years feeding in the nutrient-rich ocean waters.
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When it’s time to spawn, adult salmon cease feeding and make the arduous upstream migration back to their exact place of birth. This journey can span hundreds or thousands of miles.
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Upon arriving, the salmon spawn laying and fertilizing thousands of eggs. Most die shortly after spawning.
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The eggs hatch the following spring, and the salmon lifecycle repeats.
Ideal Locations to See Salmon Runs
When salmon spawn, they return to the same rivers and tributaries where they were born. So the best places to witness salmon runs are along the Pacific coast and major rivers that flow to the ocean.
Some top spots in the U.S. include:
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Columbia River (Oregon & Washington) – All five North American salmon species migrate here from June-October, peaking in July-September.
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Sacramento River (California) – Hundreds of thousands of Chinook salmon run here from April-December, with many in October-November.
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Snake River (Idaho) – Six salmon species run the Snake from August-November, with sockeye peaking in August.
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Green River (Washington) – Summer and fall Chinook salmon runs occur June-October, with many fish in September.
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Puyallup River (Washington) – Pink, coho, and Chinook salmon runs happen August-November near Puget Sound.
Visit Nearby State Parks and Nature Areas
Many state parks provide excellent salmon viewing from platforms, underwater windows, or riverside trails. Top spots include:
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Willamette Falls Fish Ladder (Oregon) – Giant fish ladder with indoor salmon viewing room.
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Ballard Locks Salmon Ladder (Seattle) – Underwater windows to see salmon swimming upstream.
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Cabela’s Aquarium (Oregon) – Huge free aquarium displaying salmon runs.
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Comet Falls Hatchery (Washington) – Spawning tanks and streams to observe salmon.
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Beaver Creek Wild River (Alaska) – Platforms over streams filled with thousands of salmon.
Check Local Fish Hatcheries
Fish hatcheries are a sure bet for easily viewing salmon runs up close. Many have visitor centers with clear tanks and windows into fish ladders and holding ponds. Top hatcheries include:
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Minter Creek Hatchery (Washington) – Indoor viewing gallery over fish ladder.
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Dworshak National Hatchery (Idaho) – Outdoor ponds and raceways bursting with Chinook salmon.
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Santa Cruz Wharf (California) – Ocean pens with salmon near Monterey Bay.
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Trail Lakes Hatchery (Alaska) – Huge sockeye salmon runs July-September.
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Salmon Creek Hatchery (Alaska) – Observation deck and underwater viewing windows.
Time Your Trip for Nearby Salmon Festivals
Many communities host lively salmon festivals when the runs start, featuring food, music, exhibits, and salmon viewing. Top festivals include:
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Salmon Days (Issaquah, WA) – Held each October.
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Sacramento Salmon Festival (CA) – Takes place every September.
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Kenai Peninsula Salmonfest (AK) – Happens annually in August.
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Salmon Jam Music Festival (Ninilchik, AK) – Also held in August.
Tips for Responsible Salmon Viewing
When viewing spawning salmon, be respectful and give them sufficient space. Avoid loud noises, trampling redds (salmon nests), or handling fish. Instead, watch quietly from designated platforms and trails. With some advance planning, you can witness one of nature’s most incredible spectacles near you this year.
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Fiona Cohen lives, writes and grows tomatoes in Seattle. She has a passion for the natural history of the Pacific Coast. She has two children who still talk to her, and not just when they require transportation somewhere. She is the author of Curious Kids Nature Guide by Sasquatch Books.
The best salmon viewing in rivers and creeks around town
What can your children learn from a fish? Plenty — about determination, perseverance, and the weird and fascinating drama of nature.
Every year, Pacific salmon travel hundreds of miles through the ocean, navigating storms and slipping past predators and fishermen’s nets, relentlessly focused on arriving at the local streams where they were hatched. Their purpose: to mate and bury their eggs in the stream bottom before they die.
In September and October, sockeye and Chinook (also known as “king”) arrive in the area. In November, chum and coho take their turn in fresh water.
By the time the fish fight their way into the creeks, their sleek bodies have been transformed. Males’ jaws become hooked (female cohos also develop a less-pronounced hooked jaw), and their silver scales take on earthier tones. Chinook darken to copper; sockeye turn red with green heads; chum develop reddish stripes; and coho sport green backs and red bellies. They no longer eat, and white fungus often forms blotches on their skin.
While they’re alive, the salmon battle the current to swim upstream, and compete with each other to win mates and spawning spots. They die soon after spawning, and as they decompose, their bodies fertilize the streams.
Where can you take your kids to watch this action unfold? Spawning salmon are clearly visible from a number of local vantage points. It’s a chance for your family to get outdoors and learn about an amazing part of the region’s natural cycles. And don’t feel silly if you find yourself cheering on a fish fighting its way upstream — people do it all the time.
To check out the full list of sites, click the arrow above the or the link at the bottom of each page. Or, jump to the salmon viewing site of your choice on the list below:
First time out? Here are some tips:
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Editor’s note: ParentMap staff contributed to this article, which was originally published many years ago and is updated every year, most recently in August 2024 by associate editor, Kari Hanson.
First salmon stop: Ballard Locks
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FAQ
Where is the best place to watch the salmon run?
- Goldstream Provincial Park. Malahat. …
- Stamp River Provincial Park. Port Alberni. …
- puntledge river & the puntledge river hatchery. Comox Valley. …
- Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. Errington, Parksville. …
- Quatse River estuary. Port Hardy.
Where are salmon running in WA?
- Bridge over Quilcene River.
- Jefferson County Parks and Recreation.
- Discovery Bay Wildlife Area.
- Dosewallips State Park.
- Illahee Preserve.
- Quilcene National Fish Hatchery.
Where do salmon run in NY?
The Salmon River in Oswego County is, by far, the most famous New York stream for Pacific salmon fishing. It is stocked more heavily than any other stream to insure that enough fish make it back to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar for spawning and egg collection.
Where is the best salmon fishing right now?
- Bristol Bay, AK. Globally known as one of the best Salmon fishing locations, Bristol Bay is a must-visit when fishing in Alaska. …
- Puget Sound, WA. …
- Zhupanova, Russia. …
- Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan.
When is the best time to see the salmon run?
The best time to view the salmon run is particularly in September and early October. During this period, guided tours of the locks are available to learn about salmons and their ladders.
Where can you see a salmon run in Canada?
One of the best places to witness the salmon run in Canada is Mission Creek in Kelowna, British Columbia. Other notable locations include Capilano River in North Vancouver and various rivers in the United States such as Sammamish River in Redmond, Washington.
Where can I watch the salmon run in Seattle?
To watch the salmon run in Seattle, head to Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) on the ship canal. The best spot to observe them is on the 18th step through the windows under the water.
Where can I see salmon jumping up Brooks Falls?
One of the best places to witness the salmon run is at Katmai National Park, Alaska, where you can see salmon jumping up the Brooks Falls.
Where to see salmon in Alaska?
To see salmon in Alaska, consider visiting the Arched Bridge in Sitka, Grouse Creek, and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. These are among the numerous spots where you can witness the salmon run, a fascinating natural phenomenon.