Vancouver 
Watching salmon run is a unique experience, especially in British Columbia, a province known for its rich and diverse wildlife. You can spot salmon between September and December depending on the species.
Salmon running is their form of migration when the Salmon swim from the ocean to rivers, during which they mate on gravel beds. Once they mate, the majority of the salmon will die, and the process continues seasonally. Salmon is the common name for several species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae, which is the scientific name. They are native to the North Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans! Another fun fact is that salmon are “anadromous” which means they live in both fresh and salt water.
When watching the salmon, it is important to be mindful – approach the water softly, do not enter the river, keep all pets on a leash, and never throw rocks or sticks into the water. Below are some of the best spots you can watch salmon run in and around Metro Vancouver.
Hatcheries to See Salmon Running
Capilano River Hatchery
The Capilano River Hatchery has been operational since 1971. Located in the lush region of North Vancouver, here, you can watch salmon, specifically Chinook and Coho while they run from ocean to river. The Capilano River Hatchery also offers an interpretive centre daily to learn information about the salmon life cycle. Details
Address: 4500 Capilano Park Rd, North Vancouver
Little Campbell Hatchery
Running through the Little Campbell River healthy Chinook, Chum, Steelhead, and Coho salmon. Focussed on conservation and education, you can have a wonderfully immersive experience at the Little Campbell Hatchery. Details
Address: 1284 184 St, Surrey
Tynehead Hatchery
The Tynehead Hatchery is run exclusively by volunteers and began in the 80s. The hatchery is at the Serpentine River section in Tynehead Regional Park and helps to maintain Chinook, Chum, Coho and Steelhead salmon. Hike the Salmon Habitat Loop trail to watch the salmon run and you can tour the hatchery! Details
Address: 16585 96 Ave, Surrey
Hoy-Scott Watershed Society/Hoy Creek Hatchery
The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental champion that works to educate, restore, and preserve the lives of fish in Coquitlam! Here, Pink, Coho, and Chum salmon run into Coquitlam River, making for an abundant and exciting salmon run to enjoy. It’s also in an accessible, peaceful, and beautiful park with trails, allowing you to connect with nature.
You can also join the festival on October 22, Salmon Come Home, which celebrates the annual return of salmon to Hoy Creek. Details
Address: Hoy Creek Linear Park, Coquitlam
Bell Irving Hatchery
Witness the circle of life at Bell Irving Hatchery in Maple Ridge, which has been going since 1983. Here you’ll spot Chum and Coho Salmon as they return to Kanaka Creek. The hatchery has had great success, through conservation and the migration is abundant each year. Their hatchery offers tours every weekend and often has big celebrations every salmon run season.
Bell Irving Hatchery will also host an event Return of the Salmon on October 22, 2023. Details
Address: 11484 256 St, Maple Ridge
Seymour Hatchery
The Seymour Hatchery’s goal is to enhance salmon longevity and quality of life, ever since the construction of the Seymour Falls Dam in 1927 negatively impacted the salmon’s migration paths. The hatchery works closely with the Coho, Steelhead, Pink and Chum salmon to ensure their health through conservation and closely with the public to educate about how urbanization, pollution, and overfishing impact the fish. Details
Address: Seymour Valley Trailway, North Vancouver
Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery
Dedicated to “protecting Squamish wildlife, one fish at a time,” Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery works to increase the healthy levels of Coho, Pink, Chum and Chinook salmon in the Squamish River. When you visit, you can take a self-guided tour of the facilities and course, and see the many salmon migrate in the fall. Details
Address: 1000 Midnight Way, Brackendale
Chilliwack River Hatchery
The Chilliwack River Hatchery came to be in 1981, with the intention of salmon sustainability, with great success. The hatchery is helping the public and community through education and stewardship. There are plenty of viewing platforms for the exciting run every fall, too. Details
Address: 55205 Chilliwack Lake Rd, Chilliwack
Sq’ewqéyl First Nation Community Fish Hatchery
The Sq’ewqéyl First Nation Community Fish Hatchery started 40 years ago when the levels of salmons in the Little Chilliwack River were reaching concerningly low levels. Thanks to the hard work of the people and volunteers, the salmon are returning in substantial numbers today! The hatchery continues to grow and adapt and offers wonderful, interactive, education programs, conservation and youth program and projects. Of course, you can head there too in the fall to watch the wonderful salmon rush! Details
Address: 10-7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack
Hyde Creek Hatchery and Park
Hyde Creek Hatchery and Park is a cool spot to see chum and coho salmon. The best spot to head to is near the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, as you can take the trail behind the centre along Hyde Creek towards the Hatchery. Along the way, there are plenty of excellent lookout spots and a footbridge to spot the salmon. Details
Address: 3636 Coast Meridian Rd, Port Coquitlam
Inlet Park and Noons Creek Hatchery
Inlet Park at Noon’s Creek Hatchery is designed for family friend viewing of the running salmon. There are plenty of trails to enjoy along the walking trails and boardwalk. Here you can see coho, chum and pink salmon, and if you are into it, you can take part in the self-guided Halloween Walk for visitors to learn creepy and fun facts about nature! Park behind the Port Moody Rec Centre. Details
Address: Port Moody Ecological Society (Noons Creek Hatchery), Ioco Road, Port Moody
Parks to See Salmon Running
Garry Point Park
Garry Point Park is in Richmond and is a very rich and healthy habitat, resulting in a large range of fish! For the salmon run, it is best to go watch in the fall between September – November when you can see thousands of fish, particularly Pink, Coho and Chum salmon making their way upstream. Details
Address: 12011 Seventh Ave, Richmond
Ladner Harbour Park
Ladner Harbour Park is in Delta and is on the banks of the Fraser River. It is a must-do as experts explain that the salmon here are active meaning, you’ll likely see a bunch of jumping fish! It’s also a lovely, lush park and is a peaceful spot that feels like a sanctuary. Details
Address: 4905 Mcneelys Way, Delta
Westminster Quay
If you’re okay with being on the fish’s schedule, head to Westminster Quay, in New Westminster. While the view is amazing, patience is important here as the fish tend to show up every hour or so at this location, but when they start popping up, you’ll know!
Address: 900 Quayside Dr, New Westminster
Nelson Creek
Salmon have been making a comeback recently in Nelson Creek in West Vancouver. A lot of this is thanks to the hard work of the West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society, who’s done a lot of conservation and created a fish ladder to assist the fish. The salmon that attend the run are majority Chum, and Nelson Creek is becoming a sanctuary again for watching the salmon run. Details
Address: West Vancouver
Mamquam Spawning Channel
Mamquam means in Squamish Nation, “smelly river,” which came to be due to the sheer number of smelly dead salmon! Over the years, the area has experienced a lot of growth and logging, so if you intend to visit, you must be mindful and respect nature. It’s a good spot for families and young children, as the river and trails are accessible by a stroller. There is also great signage along the way, educating you about the salmon run. Details
Address: 1940 Centennial Way, Squamish
Yorkson Creek
Located in Langley, you can head to this beautiful creek to spot both coho and chum salmon as they make their way. The very best spot? From the bridge at McCaughan Park! This is a cool aerial view to see salmon spawning and passing through to spawning grounds upstream. Details
Address: McCaughan Park, 206 Street, Langley Township, BC, Canada
Williams Park
To see plenty of happy coho and chum running, you will want to visit Williams Park in Langley. There are many trials to enjoy strolling around until you land on a great viewing spot. We suggest finding a spot on one of the many bridges or trails along the creek. There is also an information kiosk where you can read to learn about salmon, their salmon life cycle, and their habitat. Details
Address: Williams Park, 238 Street, Langley
Oxbow Side Channel
Head to the Oxbow Side Channel, which is considered a “secret gem!” You can access this secretive salmon running spot via the many trail networks. You can expect to spot both cum and coho, and many other fishes, too!
Address: Oxbow Side Channel, Coquitlam
Hockaday Park
If you haven’t visited Hockaday Park, this is your chance. It is a sweet, small neighbourhood park that offers one of the top places to experience true family friend viewing and even a beach area to watch the salmon. Details
Address: McTavish Court, Coquitlam
Chantrell Creek
Witness the magic of the salmon running and spawners as they make their way up the Nicomekl River and up Chantrell Creek in the fall, as you stand on the south of Crescent Road.
Address: Elgin Heritage Park, Crescent Road, Surrey
Allco Park
Allco Park in Maple Ridge is a great spot to view chum salmon, the horse crossing located at the back of the park. To access it, you should head to the main trail the picnic shelters and down the path to the Alouette River bank. Details
Address: 13255 Alouette Road, Maple Ridge
Stoney Creek
Stoney Creek, in Burnaby, is a good spot to see coho and chum salmon. There is a nice trail that leads walkers under the Como Lake Road overpass that provides a good place to view the salmon running, with the backdrop of the fall! Details
Address: Stoney Creek Pl, Burnaby
You can also see salmon in the Brunette River and fishway from Cariboo Dam at the east end of Burnaby Lake Regional Park (off Cariboo Road).