Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail

The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail (KCST) is our region’s premiere salmon-viewing experience. Every November, over 5,000 people visit the Trail to learn more about the salmon life cycle and to observe Chum spawning and courting behaviors. Thanks to our volunteer docents, no questions go unanswered and all visitors get a rich Pacific Northwest experience. Join in and learn to be a salmon hero.

For the 2026 season, KCST will be open October 31 to November 29.

The gate will be open to the public on weekends and open by scheduled appointment for field trips during weekdays.

Chum salmon usually begin returning to Kennedy Creek in late October. Spawning can be observed until early/mid-December in most years. The peak viewing is usually in mid-November.

What days will the gate be open to the public?

The Trail is open to the public on weekends Oct 31 – Nov 29. The gate will be open from 10am-4pm for public parking at the trailhead on the following dates:

October 31st (Halloween!)
November 1
November 7, 8, 11 (Veterans Day – school holiday)
November 14, 15
November 21, 22
November 27 (Day after Thanksgiving), 28, & 29
The Trail will be closed on Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)

The gate is locked promptly at 4pm.

Please note that on weekdays, only scheduled field trip groups are authorized to drive through the gate to the parking area. This is so that we can accommodate buses and school children visiting KCST. You are welcome to park on Old Olympic Hwy and walk up the road on weekdays though.