Sight · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Watch fall Chinook climb the ladder at a working river hatchery.
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The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Spring Creek Shore and Hatchery“You're approaching Spring Creek Hatchery State Park, a windy patch of Columbia shoreline near Underwood. Strong west winds and the river current build the swells that bring experienced windsurfers and kiteboarders here.”
Plays as you drive up to Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
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“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery is a federal salmon-rearing facility on the Columbia River at river mile 167 in Underwood, Washington. It raises about 12.5 million young Tule fall Chinook each year as part of efforts to mitigate fishery losses from Columbia River dams. It is a worthwhile short stop if you’re curious about salmon production; what you can see changes with the season.
Returning adult Chinook use the fish ladder in late August and September. From January through April, young fish are visible in outdoor raceways. In summer, no fish are held on site, but a riverside walk and the Columbia’s windsurfing sails still give you a reason to stop.
A mile-long entrance road follows the Columbia, and a short interpretive trail gets closer to the water. Picnic tables look toward the river and Mount Hood. The hatchery began in 1901 as an egg-collection station; after the original site flooded following the completion of Bonneville Dam, it was rebuilt in a new location in 1972.
The federal hatchery entrance is on WA-14 near mile marker 61; it’s separate from the neighboring Spring Creek Hatchery State Park. Weekdays are the most dependable time for public visits. Interpretive programs also run on selected spawning-season weekends, but dates vary, so check before making a special trip.
Wildlife
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyIndian Creek Trail (Hazel Avenue section)3.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 2.4 mi awayA leafy creek walk past a historic water flume.
ModerateWygant Peak Trail9 mi · 5.5 hr · 4 mi awayThe summit hides its best view in the meadow below.
Beach · 0.7 mi awaySpring Creek Hatchery State ParkStrong Gorge winds make this Columbia shore a windsurfing draw.
Lodging · 1.2 mi awayColumbia Gorge Hotel & SpaA 1920s hotel with a waterfall spilling through its gardens.
Sight · 1.3 mi awayThe HookA sheltered beginner launch with a big river view.
Beach · 1.6 mi awayHood River Waterfront ParkA sandy swimming cove for a low-key Columbia River break.
Sight · 1.8 mi awayHood River Event SiteWatch windsurfing and kiteboarding right on the river.
Sight · 4 mi awayMitchell Point TunnelFive arched windows frame the river from inside the cliff.Parkwolf’s Columbia River Gorge ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
