Trip
Naturalist Trip - Kennedy Creek
Join me for an easy 1-2 mile hike along Kennedy Creek, where 20,000 to 30,000 salmon come to spawn each year. This is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier salmon viewing trails.
- Thu, Nov 6, 2025
- Olympia Naturalists Committee
- Naturalist
- Adults
- Easy/Moderate
- Easy
- Mileage: 1.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 100 ft
- High Point Elevation: 200 ft
- Pace: 1.0 mph
- FULL (10 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
During this naturalist hike we will stroll through the dripping cedar trees among mosses and ferns to view salmon spawning. There will be frequent stops and viewing points to see the salmon, eagles, and other wildlife. This area is on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin Island Tribe and was referred to as “The Place of the Singing Fish”. Once inhabited by the Sawamish/T’Peeksin villages, it was used as a place for fishing, hunting, and gathering berries. This land is now managed by the WA Department of Natural Resources and the South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group in partnership. This area is preserved for the benefit of wildlife, native plants, and public enjoyment. It is a popular destination for people from all over Washington for viewing salmon in the fall. If you wish to bring your friends or family back it is open to the public during the weekends in the month of November. A WA Discover Pass is required.
The tour will include a short hike through the forest, on uneven trails. “There are no permanent facilities at KCST. During the salmon viewing season (late October-early December), we bring in portable toilets (one regular and one ADA-accessible) as well as a hand-washing station. There is no potable water. There is no garbage service here–please “Pack it in, pack it out.” We often have 3-4 picnic tables available for visitor use, but they are uncovered” (SSSEG).
We will be meeting at 12:30 pm at the trailhead for the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail. A WA Discover Pass is required.
Required Equipment
- Navigation
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
- First aid
- Knife
- Fire
- Shelter
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
Hiking boots or comfortable tennis shoes are recommended. Please clean your shoes of all organic matter beforehand to prevent introducing unwanted plants. Walking sticks if you have balance issues. Lunch, a snack, water bottle, binoculars, and polarized sunglasses for viewing salmon. Dress for the weather. Wearing layers and a rain jacket is recommended. Bring an extra set of socks and shoes in case your feet get wet.