Bumper-to-bumper traffic and high rises popping up on every block can make us forget about the natural wonderland just outside of the metro area. By taking a short trek east or west, we can breathe the fresh air, escape the noise and witness an incredible natural phenomenon happening right in our city’s backyard: salmon spawning.
The annual salmon migration happens right here in the streams, creeks and rivers near our neighborhoods. There are a few places where the water gets shallow, the flow becomes a fall, and salmon have to navigate the current in an upriver battle to their native waterways to lay their eggs. This makes for optimal viewing right from the shoreline.
In some cases, they even have to navigate dams, locating the fish ladder and making the uphill journey to calmer waters above the concrete barricades. It is truly a magnificent and harrowing journey.
Experiencing the salmon spawning viewpoints near Portland is a must-see for all you nature lovers. And if you’re like me, it may even bring a tear to your eye to see the determination of these creatures to carry out a mission engrained into their very being.
Salmon spawning season in the Portland area starts in the late summer and lasts well into the fall depending on salmon species ( approximately September 1-December 1).
Listed below are the salmon spawning locations near Portland. Many of these locations are very accessible and make great day trips with family and friends.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that all of these locations are free to visit? With a little bit of gas money, you’ll be able to witness one of the Pacific Northwest’s best natural phenomenons.
Salmon Spawning Near Portland
Tillamook Forest Center
Located along Wilson River, the Tillamook Forest Center offers nature lovers so many fun activities, including prime viewing of the yearly spawn. A 250-foot long suspension bridge over the Wilson River offers excellent salmon watching viewpoint.
This center is free to visit and it is free to partake in all programs. A $5 donation is suggested. Fall hours at the center are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located about an hour from Portland at 45500 Wilson River Highway in Tillamook.
Humbug Creek
Head west toward the coast to Humbug Creek, located behind the Camp 18 Restaurant and Museum along Highway 26. Get a tasty bite to eat and then mosey behind the building to the creekside, where you’re sure to spot salmon spawning this fall.
Humbug Creek is roughly an hour from Portland and can be accessed at 42362 US-26 outside in Seaside.
Cascade Hatchery
Located along Eagle Creek, Cascade Hatchery gives visitors an incredible view of spawning salmon as they make their way from the Columbia River. You’ll see native chinook and coho salmon on their journey.
The Cascade Hatchery is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. It is located just 45 minutes from Portland along the beautiful Columbia River Gorge at 74152 NE Eagle Creek Loop in Cascade Locks.
Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery
Farther along the salmon’s journey, some will return to the Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery. Every October, the fish hatchery opens its fish ladder for the coho spawn. The hatchery keeps a running list of how many salmon have arrived and they have an updated “What’s Hatchin’?” section on their website that gives you up-to-date information about the spawn.
Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery is an hour from Portland at 34288 Southeast Rainbow Road in Estacada. The hatchery is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during winter hours.
Bonneville Dam
This is where my earliest memories of seeing salmon spawning happened. The Bonneville Dam has a great interpretive center complete with an incredible fish ladder that can be viewed both outside for an aerial view of salmon swimming upstream and inside for an underwater peek at the salmon in action. At the visitor’s center, you’ll see chinook and coho spawning.
The Bonneville Dam is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and located at 70543 NE Herman Loop in Cascade Locks, just 45 minutes from Portland.
We are lucky to live in an area with so many streams, creeks and rivers teeming with life. Go check your nearest waterway and see if you can spot a salmon or two!
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