September 22 @ 8:00 am – September 30 @ 3:30 pm
The salmon are making their way back to their spawning channels in the Quinsam River. Making it a great time visit the Quinsam River Hatchery & trails along the river!
You’ll see salmon, but also all the amazing wildlife their return feeds — including bears, eagles, kingfishers, herons and more.
Remember: Gates close at 3:30pm!
You can still walk the hatchery and river around after 3:30pm, but gates close & indoor displays are only open from 8am to 3:30pm.
Just park outside the gates if you arrive near or after closing.
Learn more about the hatchery here
Bears & Bear Safety
Remember to be aware that the bears frequent the area at this time of year, especially so be bear smart:
Be noisy, don’t tread softly. Be known. Speak to your hiking partner as you are walking.
The times I have gotten uncomfortably close to a bear is when they were unaware of my presence. I’ve almost walked right into bears along the Quinsam River — most often on narrow paths lined with steep salmonberry bushes that I call “bear gauntlets”.
I make it a point to be especially noisy & walk with heavy feet in these areas so the bears can hear & feel me, and avoid me.
Also, it should be obvious, but apparently it isn’t.
Don’t pet the bears!
