Category: Itineraries

Where to See Salmon Spawning this Fall

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One of the most amazing natural wonders we encounter in the Pacific Northwest is the annual fall salmon run. Salmon need cold, clean water and large amounts of gravel or sediment to lay their eggs (spawn), which is why you’ll encounter them in some of our local creeks and rivers. Salmon spawn at the end of their lives – they spend 3 or 4 years out in the ocean before swimming back to the freshwater area where they were born. Watching fish complete this instinctual cycle is a sight to behold, and thankfully there are some kid-friendly places in the Portland-Vancouver area where families can witness this wonder.

Below is a list of the best places to take kids to see salmon spawning in the fall. Be sure to pick up a copy of the relevant little feet hiking guide to give you the best information for a safe, educational, and fun salmon-watching adventure. 

P.S. Salmon poisoning is a thing for dogs. Look into this and keep dogs away from spawning areas for their safety.

Lucia Falls Regional Park

  • Easy stroller-friendly hike is appropriate for all ages, although littles will need help staying away from the rocks and walking through the parking lot
  • You will see salmon jumping the falls starting in late September and through the end of October at least (sometimes you’ll see into December)
  • Check out this video and this post to see salmon jumping there in October
  • You’ll also encounter lovely changing falls colors and neat mushrooms
  • Stop over to Pomeroy Farm’s Pumpkin Lane after your hike if visiting on an October weekend
  • Please avoid ALL water contact to protect the salmon
  • Learn more in little feet hiking

Wahclella Falls

  • Harder hike with dangerous cliff edges
  • This is one of the best waterfall hikes around
  • Avoid this trail during heavy rain due to fire damage and cliffs
  • After your hike, stop by Bonneville Fish Hatchery to see the fish ladder
  • Learn more about this hike and its connection to the hatchery in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge

Ruckel Creek

  • Easy hike is okay for all ages but littles will need help staying out of the creek, walking through the parking lot, getting to the bottom of the waterfall, and not falling over the bridge above the waterfall
  • The hike starts from the Eagle Creek trailhead, which is one of the best places in the area to see salmon spawning
  • The Eagle Creek trail is not kid-friendly, but I’ve crafted a more kid-friendly hike starting at this trailhead and passing one of my favorite salmon spawning viewing spots
  • Best time to see salmon spawning here is late-September to mid-October
  • Learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge

Oxbow Regional Park 

  • Hikes are okay for all ages, but littles will need help with road crossings and staying out of the rushing and dangerous Sandy River
  • There are several hikes in the book that take you through the park, but this brochure is the best for understanding the annual salmon run
  • When you visit, be sure to leave enough time for kids to play on Oxbow’s two playgrounds
  • There is usually an event at the end of October celebrating the return of the salmon
  • Learn more about the hikes in little feet hiking: Portland Metro

Barlow Wayside

  • Hike is appropriate for hikers who can handle stairs and small cliffs, and you will want to keep littles out of the creek to protect the salmon
  • Watch salmon spawn at Barlow Wayside late September through early December
  • Visit in November for lovely fall colors
  • See if you can find and touch the waterfall along the trail
  • Learn more in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Wildwood Recreation Area

  • Two short and easy hikes that are ADA-accessible and stroller-friendly
  • Use caution near the Salmon River’s edge
  • Visit in fall for lovely changing fall colors
  • Visit the fish viewing window to look for smaller fish
  • Watch for salmon spawning in the Salmon River from late August through November
  • Learn more in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Old Salmon River

  • Hike has some cliffier sections, but is okay for most hikers
  • Hike through beautiful old-growth forest along a river named for the very salmon that spawn there
  • Look for salmon spawning late September through early December
  • Be sure to make some time to play on the river beaches, using caution near the river’s edge
  • There are multiple trailheads for this hike; learn more in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Salmon River Trail

  • Harder hike for stronger hikers; there are some cliffs in the beginning of the hike
  • Hike through old-growth forest along the Salmon River
  • Look for salmon spawning late September through early December
  • Look for spawning salmon whenever you are close to the river
  • Learn about nurse logs in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood, and identify them along the trail

Which spot will you visit first?

Shady Hikes for the Portland/Vancouver Area July 2024 Heat Wave

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Bells Mountain Trail from Cold Creek Day Use Area, “little feet hiking”

The heat is here and people will be flocking to our local waterways. In addition to being crowded, our waterways aren’t the safest places during the rapid snowmelt that comes with our first few heat waves of the year. The water can be cold and fast-moving, and many places do not have lifeguards available. So how do you keep your kids active during a heat wave? The awesome thing about our area is that we have so many amazing forests that can keep us cool on the hottest days. Did you know that shady forests can keep us cool through what is known as the process of evapotranspiration?? While forests can help keep you cool, you will still need to take it easy and keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion or stroke. Hitting the trail in the morning and bringing along extra water and sun protection is helpful too.

Below are some suggestions of hikes that should be shady, less-crowded, and keep you away from the big bodies of water. If you are going near any body of water, it is good to brush up on your water safety skills and assess the risks for your entire family before enjoying any water. Even small creeks can present issues for certain kids. Be safe, and access water on the following hikes at your own risk.

Whistle Punk Trail, “little feet hiking” guide

From my first guide little feet hiking:

-Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area (there is a small creek on this hike)

-WSU Cougar Trails (there is a small creek on this hike)

-Whipple Creek (there is a small creek on this hike)

-Volcano View Trail (need Ape Cave Parking reservation)

-Whistle Punk Trail

-Saddle Dam (there is a small creek on this hike)

-Goat Marsh Lake (the lake isn’t for swimming and you may encounter mosquitoes)

-Summit Springs (you cross a few creeks early on in the hike)

-Bells Mountain Trail from Cold Creek Day Use Area

Lewis River Trail, “little feet hiking two”

From my second guide little feet hiking two:

-Columbia Springs

-Fort Cascades Historic Site (stay on the trail to avoid the Columbia River)

-Lewis River Trail (the trail comes close to the river at times; the river may be shallow enough in spots for water play)

-Cedar Flats Natural Area

-Moulton Falls Trail from Hantwick Road (there is a small creek near the trailhead)

-Pacific Crest from Trout Creek (the creek may be low enough for some creek play)

Catalpa Lake hike, “little feet hiking: Mt. Hood”

From my third guide little feet hiking: Mt. Hood:

-Barlow Wayside (there is a small creek here)

-Lost Creek (there is a creek, but it shouldn’t be so rushing that it carries you away)

-any of the three Lost Lake hikes in my book (the lake has swimming areas and boat rentals)

-Catalpa Lake (bring mosquito repellant)

-Still Creek Trail (there is a large creek at the turnaround point)

-Pioneer Bridle Trail

-Hidden Lake

-Little Zigzag Falls (the trail runs along a creek)

Nellie Corser Wildlife Unit, “little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge”

From my fourth guide little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge:

-Larch Mountain Environmental Education Site (there is a small creek here)

-Larch Mountain Summit

-Nellie Corser Wildlife Area (there is creek access here, but it shouldn’t be so rushing that it carries you away)

-Dry Creek Falls (there is creek access here, but it shouldn’t be so rushing that it carries you away)

-Emerald Falls (there is creek access here, but it shouldn’t be so rushing that it carries you away)

-Skamania Lodge Trails

-Fort Cascades (stay on the trail to avoid the Columbia River)

Tickle Creek hike, little feet hiking: Portland Metro”

From my fifth guide little feet hiking: Portland Metro:

– Central Forest Park Loop

-Reed Lake (there is a little creek that runs through the west half of the trail system)

-Whipple Creek

-Scouters Mountain

-Tickle Creek (there is a small creek that runs along the trail)

-Mt. Talbert

-Tryon Creek

-Hopkins Demonstration Forest (there is small creek access here)

-Springbrook Park

-Hyland Woods Natural Area

-Tualatin Hills Nature Park

STAY COOL AND SAFE OUT THERE!