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Best places to see salmon spawn around Seattle
What can your children learn from a fish? Plenty — about determination, perseverance, and the weird and fascinating 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.
By the time the fish fight their way into the creeks, their sleek bodies have been transformed. Males’ jaws become hooked (female cohos also develop a less-pronounced hooked jaw), and their silver scales take on earthier tones. Chinook darken to copper; sockeye turn red with green heads; chum develop reddish stripes; and coho sport green backs and red bellies. They no longer eat, and white fungus often forms blotches on their skin.
When is the best time to see salmon?
In September and October, sockeye and Chinook (also known as “king”) arrive in the area. In November, chum and coho take their turn in fresh water.
While they’re alive, the salmon battle the current to swim upstream, and compete with each other to win mates and spawning spots. They die soon after spawning, and as they decompose, their bodies fertilize the streams.
Where can you take your kids to watch this action unfold?
Spawning salmon are clearly visible from a number of local vantage points. It’s a chance for your family to get outdoors and learn about an amazing part of the region’s natural cycles. And don’t feel silly if you find yourself cheering on a fish fighting its way upstream — people do it all the time.
Browse all the salmon sighting spots, or jump to the salmon viewing site of your choice:
- Ballard Locks, Seattle
- Blue Heron Park, Lake Forest Park
- Cedar River, Renton and Maple Valley
- North Creek, Bothell
- Sammamish River, Redmond
- Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Issaquah
- Piper’s Creek, Carkeek Park, Seattle
- Duwamish Gardens Park, Tukwila
- Green River and Hatchery Natural Area, Auburn
- Longfellow Creek, West Seattle
- Ebright Creek, Lake Sammamish
- Deschutes River, Tumwater
- Kennedy Creek, Mason County
First time out? Here are some tips:
- Bring binoculars for a better view of the salmon’s physical changes.
- Dress to stay warm and let the kids know that watching salmon is a quiet activity.
- Keep pooches leashed (if dogs are allowed at all). A dead salmon might look like an irresistible snack.
- If you see a dead fish, leave it where it is. The ecosystem needs them!
- The salmon are hard at work. Stay out of the water and don’t disturb them in any way.
- Find additional information about the salmon season and viewing spots on the Salmon SEEson website.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published many years ago and was updated on Sept. 10, 2025, by ParentMap’s editorial team with a thorough fact-check and details on current salmon sightings.
First salmon stop: Ballard Locks
Ballard Locks, Seattle
At the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, commonly known as the Ballard Locks, boats of all sizes ease in and out of Seattle’s ship canal. A few yards away, spawning salmon thrash their way up a 21-step fish ladder, which is actually more like a staircase of water.
From the refurbished viewing area, you can watch the salmon swim through the 18th “step” through underwater windows. Whether you spot a salmon or not, the Ballard Locks make a great destination for families any time of year.
Location: 3015 N.W. 54th St., Seattle
When to see salmon: Peak salmon viewing times are in May to September. Seattle Aquarium naturalists will be stationed at Ballard Locks on select Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Next spot: Blue Heron Park
Blue Heron Park, Lake Forest Park
You can find Coho and Chinook salmon at Blue Heron Park. Coho salmon will be visible October through December, and Chinook salmon migrate in August and September. This creek mouth is considered a hidden gem by the community. There’s a pedestrian bridge in the town center that connects to the park. (Tip: This is a dog-friendly spot!)
Location: 17035 Brookside Blvd. N.E., Lake Forest Park
When to see salmon: August through December
Next spot: Cedar River
Cedar River, Renton and Maple Valley
Volunteer naturalists from the Seattle Aquarium’s Cedar Salmon River Journey will be stationed at viewing sites this fall to answer questions and to help educate kids and families about salmon migration.
Locations: The designated viewing sites are the Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Riverview Park, Belmondo Beach and Landsburg Park.
When to see salmon: Naturalists are stationed at select sites every weekend in October, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check the schedule online.
Next stop: North Creek
North Creek, Bothell
At North Creek in Bothell, look for Chinook, sockeye and coho as they migrate up the creek. Make sure to check under bridges, where fish often hide. View Chinook salmon in September, sockeye in October and coho in November.
Location: Start at North Creek Trail Park in Bothell, near the intersection of Interstate 405 and Beardslee Boulevard.
When to see salmon: September through November
Next stop: Sammamish River
Sammamish River, Redmond
Head to the Sammamish River Trail in the heart of Redmond to get a peek at Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon. This viewing destination is ideal to pair with a bike ride.
Location: Try these access points: the Northeast 90th Street Bridge over the Sammamish River or the pedestrian bridge over the Sammamish River near the Powerline Trail.
When to see salmon: The best viewing times are in September and October.
Next stop: Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Issaquah
The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Issaquah Creek offers creekside viewing along with glass windows into the fish ladders and interactive displays. You can also try to see the fish from the bridge over Issaquah Creek that’s just a stone’s throw from the hatchery. Visitors can spot Chinook and sockeye pass through in September and October. Coho follow in November. Guided, as well as self-guided audio tours are both available. You can plan ahead or book a tour by emailing education@issaquahfish.org at least one week in advance of your preferred dates.
Location: Issaquah Hatchery, 125 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah
When to see salmon: October through November
Next stop: Piper’s Creek
Piper’s Creek, Carkeek Park, Seattle
The trail along Piper’s Creek, in Seattle’s Carkeek Park, is a wonderful family hike any time of the year. But a walk here is especially magical in the fall, when you can look for hundreds of chum returning to the creek. In previous years, volunteer salmon stewards have been stationed here in November. Piper’s Creek is typically the city’s best spot to view a salmon run. (Tip: Don’t miss the salmon slide at the playground in the upper meadow, to the north of the lower meadow area by the creek.)
Location: Carkeek Park, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd., Seattle. Follow the one-way loop road past the play area and bridge to the beach to park at the lower meadow that’s nearest the creek. Or, park at the Carkeek Park Eddie McAbee Entrance, and walk the trail that crisscrosses the creek and passes the old apple orchard. It’s about a mile to reach the main salmon-viewing areas.
When to see salmon: October, November and December
Next stop: Duwamish Gardens Park
Duwamish Gardens Park, Tukwila
Duwamish Gardens Park has historically been a habitat for Chinook salmon. Chinook can typically be seen in August and September. This site is well maintained and a great place to view other native wildlife as well, such as harbor seals, river otters, great blue heron, osprey, hummingbirds and several species of waterfowl and shore birds.
Locations: Duwamish Gardens Park, 11269 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila
When to see salmon: August through September
Next stop: Green River and Hatchery Natural Area
Green River and Hatchery Natural Area, Auburn
Green River, Auburn
Location: Gather at Whitney Bridge Park on Southeast Green Valley Road. 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.
When to see salmon: See Chinook, pink, coho and chum make their way up the Green River, from September through December.
Hatchery Natural Area, Auburn
Location: Also in Auburn, head to the natural area adjacent to the Soos Creek Hatchery at 13030 Auburn-Black Diamond Road.
When to see salmon: Spot Chinook and coho returning to the hatchery in the fall.
Next stop: Longfellow Creek
Longfellow Creek, West Seattle
In most years, salmon spawn in Longfellow Creek in West Seattle. Coho salmon spawn October through December, and chum can be seen in November. To extend your nature outing, nearby Camp Long is always worth a visit.
Location: Access the creek from the Dragonfly Garden at 28th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Dakota Street in West Seattle.
When to see salmon: October through December
Next stop: Ebright Creek
Ebright Creek, Lake Sammamish
It’s a treat to spot the unique and rare little red kokanee salmon spawning in Ebright Creek. This is one of only six known kokanee populations in Washington and the only one close to the Seattle area. Unlike other salmon, these little guys spend their entire lives in fresh water.
Location: Ebright Creek can be accessed at the East Lake Sammamish Trail in Sammamish.
When to see salmon: November through January
Next stop: Deschutes River
Deschutes River, Tumwater
Watch spawning Chinook in Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls (formerly Tumwater Falls Park) in late September and early October, open from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. This incredible park has a fish ladder, which helps salmon make their way upstream. Walk the half-mile trail, watch the falls and enjoy a picnic on the lawn. It’s farther out than other salmon viewing spots, but worth the drive. (Tip: This park is dog-friendly and features a historic playground and picnic eating areas. Plenty of fun for your whole family!)
Location: Head to Brewery Park, located at 110 Deschutes Way S.W. in Tumwater.
When to see salmon: August through October
Last stop: Kennedy Creek
Kennedy Creek, Mason County
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. (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.)
Location: From Highway 101, turn west at Old Pacific Highway. Follow the signs onto a gravel road to Kennedy Creek. Note: The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail (KCST) is open Nov. 1–30, 2025, and the trail gate will be open to the public on weekends during that timeframe. You can still access the trail when the gate is closed by parking on Old Olympic Highway and walking 0.5 miles to the trailhead. Visit their website for full details.
When to see salmon: Weekends in November
