Did you know that you can see salmon jumping up a waterfall in Olympic National Park? It’s very cool!
This detailed guide has all the information you need to see the salmon run. Olympic National Park is one of the few places in the world where this happens several times a year! Find out when, where, and why.
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Guide to Sol Duc Salmon Cascades
Guided Tours to Salmon Cascades
Private Full-day Hiking Tour in Olympic National Park
This trail and the falls are not included on standard group tours, so if you are taking a tour to Olympic National Park, the best way to see them is on a private tour.
This private tour includes hikes in the Sol Duc Valley (read Best Sol Duc Hikes to see options), as well as Hurricane Ridge (read Best Hikes in Hurricane Ridge to see options) and Lake Crescent (read Best Hikes in Lake Crescent). You can easily ask your guide to include a stop off at Salmon Cascades on the way to Sol Duc Falls.
BOOK THIS PRIVATE ALL-DAY GUIDED HIKING TRIP TO OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Salmon Cascades Trail Details
Distance: 190 feet to viewing platform
Type: Out-and-back
Elevation change: 0 feet
Time: One minute to walk the trail, but if the salmon are jumping, you will want to stay 30-45 minutes or so
Difficulty: Very easy
Trailhead: 5 miles up Sol Duc Hot Springs Road from Highway 101, on the right side.
Highlights: Salmon jumping; beautiful waterfall
Fee: There is no special trail fee but you do need to pay the Olympic National Park entrance fee.
Buy it online or, if you are planning to visit more than just Olympic National Park this year (Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park are both close), it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
When: The trail is open (and the falls are lovely) year-round, but to see the fish jump, March-May and September – October (see below for more details).
Although Sol Duc Road is officially open year-round, this is “weather permitting”, and the reality is that it’s often closed in winter due to snow and ice. The campground and hot springs are open late March to late October and this gives some indication of the period in which the road may be closed too. Check the NPS website for current road conditions.
Salmon Cascades, Olympic National Park
The Salmon Cascades are beautiful; the waterfall tumbles over several layers in a narrow crevice in the river. There is a small pool between tiers, but the flow of the river is fierce.
Whenever you visit Olympic National Park, it is worth a quick stop on your way to Sol Duc Falls to see them. But they are most fascinating when the salmon leap up this 11-foot waterfall!
Coho salmon in Olympic National Park are fascinating. These anadromous fish (meaning they live in both fresh and salt water) are born in gravelly river beds in the Sol Duc River, above the cascades. As soon as they are able, the juvenile salmon swim 70 miles down the river to the sea, memorizing their route along the way.
They spend most of the lives (up to two years) roaming hundreds of miles along the Pacific Northwest coast, from Oregon to British Columbia in Canada.
When they are ready to spawn, they somehow find their way back to the mouth of the Sol Duc River using the temperature of the ocean, the salinity of the waters, the angle of the sun, and magnetic fields to guide them.
Each season, about 1,000 coho salmon then use river scents to return to their birthplace just below Sol Duc Falls. They start their journey in July when the water level is low and it’s possible to navigate the cascades. From late summer to early fall, they leap up the 11-foot waterfall to get back ‘home’.
They spawn there. The female builds a nest in the gravel called a redd with her tail. The male swims close by to fertilize the thousands of eggs she lays. They die several days later and their decomposing carcasses provide essential nutrients to the river system and the surrounding forest.
When can you see salmon jumping at Salmon Cascades?
The Sol Duc River is one of the few places in the world where the salmon run throughout the year. Chinook and coho salmon leap up the cascades in late summer/ early fall (September – early November) and cutthroat trout and steelhead leap up the cascades in spring (March-May).
Salmon Cascades Trail Details
There’s a small parking lot for just nine vehicles at a pullout on the side of the road. There’s a small picnic area and restrooms at the parking area.
From there, the trail is very wide and easy to follow.
It heads through the trees for just over 100 feet and ends at a wooden viewing platform.
The viewing platform looks down in to the falls from above.
The views here are OK, but the view from below gives a much nicer view of the falls.
However, there is no trail down to the area below the falls – you need to clamber over some rocks and around and over tree roots. These rocks can be slippery, especially when wet. This is not an official trail and if you decide to do this, it is at your own risk.
From the bottom, you can more easily see the layers of the cascades. If you look carefully, you can often see salmon milling around in the small pool of water between the tiers of the falls as they recover from their first leap and prepare for the next.
At the bottom, there is a large calm pool of water and this often serves as a staging area, with dozens of salmon milling around as they gather their strength for the big jumps.
It is not guaranteed that you will see salmon here, of course, even in season. They tend to be more active after rain.
Fishing is not allowed near Salmon Cascades.
Tips for Visiting the Salmon Cascades Overlook
- If you decide to head down below the falls form the viewing platform, you will want to wear good shoes with good grip. If you need to get some hiking boots, take a look at my Guide to Buying the Best Hiking Shoes/ Boots to help you know what to look for and get some recommendations.
- Take video. I usually just taking photos, but it’s very difficult to snap a phot exactly when a fish is mid-air. It’s much easier to take videos so you can catch them in action.
I used my phone as I’d forgotten to take my camera, and as soon as I saw a fish leap, I ended the video and then started filming another one, so that I ended up with several short video clips rather than one really long one. This way, too, I knew that the fish was near the end of the video and could more easily edit out the beginning part, when there were no fish. - If you want a step up from using a cell phone (which I recommend!), a great option is the GoPro HERO 12. It is designed for travel. It’s water resistant and durable and takes photos, video and even does streaming. Check current prices on the GoPro HERO 12 here.
- Check my list of essential things to take and wear on a day hike to make sure you have everything you need.
- It is easy to combine this trail with Ancient Groves, Sol Duc Falls and Sol Duc Hot Springs for a full day in the Sol Duc Valley.
Map of the Sol Duc Salmon Cascades Area
Where is Salmon Cascades?
Salmon Cascades is in Sol Duc Valley in Olympic National Park. It’s 5 miles up Sol Duc Hot Springs Road from Highway 101, on the right side.
FAQS about Salmon Cascades, Olympic National Park
Where can I see salmon in Olympic National Park?
There are two places. You can see sockeye in the Quinault River in November and December in tributaries and in the river and coho and chinook at Salmon Cascades in September to early November. You can also see cutthroat trout and steelhead at Salmon Cascades in March – May.
What time of year do salmon run in Washington?
The peak season is mid-September to mid-October, though you may see some earlier and later. Chinook typically arrive first and Coho a little later.
What are the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park?
Salmon Cascades is a tiered waterfall on the Sol Duc River where you can see salmon swimming upstream – and leaping up the waterfall – to spawn in the river.
When is the best time to visit Salmon Cascades?
The best time to see salmon at the Cascades is typically between September and early November and March to May, when the fish are migrating upstream to spawn. However, the waterfalls and rapids are beautiful to see year-round.
How do I get to Salmon Cascades?
Salmon Cascades are located in Olympic National Park, near the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. There is a small parking area nearby.
Can I fish for salmon at Salmon Cascades?
No, fishing is not allowed in the Sol Duc River near the Salmon Cascades. This is to protect the spawning salmon and ensure their population continues to thrive.
What other activities can I do in the area around Salmon Cascades?
The area around the cascades is great for hiking, with several trails including Sol Duc Falls. You can also soak in the hot springs at the nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
Is there an admission fee to visit Salmon Cascades?
There is no fee to visit Salmon Cascades, but you will need to pay the entrance fee for Olympic National Park if you do not have an annual pass. Buy it online or, if you are planning to visit more than just Olympic National Park this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
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Sol Duc Salmon Cascades Guide
Travel Insurance for Olympic National Park
You should definitely get travel insurance whenever you travel. This can protect you against medical and emergency repatriation, as well as cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy Salmon Cascades!
You might also like:
>> Sol Duc Falls Trail Guide
>> Ancient Groves Nature Trail Guide
>> Olympic National Park Guide
>> Best Hikes in Olympic National Park
>> Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park
>> Best Hikes Near Lake Crescent
>> Hurricane Ridge Visitors Guide
>> Best Hikes at Hurricane Ridge
>> Best Sol Duc Hikes
>> Best Hoh Rainforest Hikes
>> Best Lake Quinault Hikes
>> Best Beaches in Olympic National Park
>> Best Tide Pools in Olympic National Park
>> Best Waterfalls in Olympic National Park
Do you have any other tips for visiting Salmon Cascades or questions about this or anywhere else in the Sol Duc valley? I’d love to hear about them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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