Where to See Spawning Salmon Around the South Sound and South King County

What can your children learn from a fish? Plenty — about determination, perseverance, and the weird and enthralling 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.

Where can you take your kids to watch this fascinating action unfold?

Spawning salmon are clearly visible from several local vantage points. It’s a chance for your family to get outdoors and learn about an amazing part of the region’s natural history. And don’t feel silly if you find yourself cheering on a fish — people do it all the time! Here are the top locations to watch this drama unfold around the South Sound and South King County.

(Want to expand your salmon-spotting quest? Check out our list of 10 salmon-spotting spots around Seattle and the Eastside.)

The following locations are ordered by when you are likely to see salmon, starting with September and October locations and continuing to November and December sites. But predicting when salmon will arrive is an inexact science. Contact locations before venturing out if possible, adjust expectations accordingly, and you will find plenty of educational opportunities in the experience.

1. Duwamish River, Tukwila

Head to one of four Duwamish River viewing locations — North Wind’s Weir (2914 S. 112th St., Tukwila), Duwamish Gardens Park (11269 East Marginal Way, Tukwila), Codiga Park (12585 50th Pl. S., Tukwila) and Tukwila Urban Center Pedestrian Bridge (6800 Green River Trail, Tukwila) — to see Chinook, coho and chum migrate upstream. Chinook and coho can typically be seen in August and September, and chum in October and November. These places can be good viewing spots for other native wildlife as well, such as bald eagles, osprey and blue heron.

2. Green River, Auburn

Gather at Whitney Bridge Park on S.E. Green Valley Road and 212th Way S.E. to see Chinook, pink, coho and chum make their way up the Green River from September through December. The best viewing is from the 212th Street bridge. From the west parking lot, walk up to 212th, turn right and follow the broad sidewalk to the bridge for viewing. There is no need to cross this active county road. For more info, call 206-529-9467.

3. Covington Creek, Auburn

View coho salmon during September and October from the roadway bridge on 168th Way S.E., just off the Auburn-Black Diamond Road.

4. Soos Creek Hatchery, Auburn

Mid-September through October is your best bet to view Chinook and coho returning to the hatchery, located at 13030 Auburn-Black Diamond Road. Check out the viewing pond and outdoor kiosk explaining hatchery operations.

5. Deschutes River, Tumwater

Watch spawning Chinook in Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls (formerly Tumwater Falls Park) in late September and early October. For info contact the City of Tumwater at 360-754-4140.

6. Clarks Creek, Puyallup

Leave the car at Puyallup’s Clarks Creek Park and follow a short trail to a footbridge overlooking spawning chum. These chum are a winter run stock with adults returning in late November to late January, but the peak of the run happens in mid-December.

7. Minter Creek Hatchery, Gig Harbor

Salmon seekers can walk three-quarters of a mile down the hatchery's intake road to view a large run of chum and coho salmon, starting in November. Find it at 12710 124th Ave. Ct. N.W., Gig Harbor.

8. McLane Creek Nature Trail, Capitol State Forest

This gentle nature loop offers streamside views of spawning chum salmon in November and early December, depending on rainfall. Salmon Stewards will once again be stationed at McLane Creek on November weekends. To reach the McLane Creek Nature Trail from Olympia, drive west on Mud Bay Road and turn south onto Delphi Road. Turn right at the sign for the trail. You will need a Discover Pass to park.

9. Kennedy Creek, Mason County, northwest of Olympia

Around 40,000 chum cram into the lower two miles of this creek to spawn each fall. The best viewing is from the 1.5-mile Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail. This trail is open to the public, usually on weekends starting in late October until late November. Specific dates for 2023 have not been released yet, be sure to check the website for current information and updates.

South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group offers free, hour-long tours for groups. Contact them to schedule. Note that this trail is maintained by donor support, and the first half-mile is ADA-accessible.

From Highway 101, turn west at Old Pacific Highway. Follow the signs onto a gravel road to Kennedy Creek. Please note that Kennedy Creek has a no-dog policy to protect both the salmon and dogs; dogs are susceptible to poisoning from a parasite in the salmon. For more information, contact KennedyCreek@spsseg.org.

Editor’s note: ParentMap staff contributed to this article which was originally published many years ago, but the salmon are still at it! We updated this article most recently for 2023.