Wildlife Tours
Bald Eagles in a tree
The Adams River sockeye run, 15km/9mi northeast of Chase, is known around the world as a true wonder of nature. The lower 65ha/161ac of the Adams River is one of the richest natural salmon spawning grounds in North America and is protected through its full length within the boundaries of Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park.
In fall, visit Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park to see bright red sockeye salmon spawning in what is the culmination of one of the most heroic struggles in nature. The Salute to the Sockeye Festival takes place every four years to celebrate the most major salmon runs on the river.
Sockeye Salmon Life Cycle
The sockeye run works in a four-year cycle. Every October there are fish to see, but the fourth year, known as the dominant year, sees the river run red with the struggling bodies of over two million fish. (Dominant years are 2014, 2018 and so on...)
Read More
Sockeye salmon that have lived for four or five years in the Pacific Ocean return to the streams of their birth to spawn and die. From the mouth of the Fraser River, they battle horrific currents for about 18 days, eating nothing on their epic 400km/249mi journey. Their bodies change colour from silver-blue to bright red with green heads as they reach the spawning grounds. Many are caught or die along the way, but astonishing numbers reach their destination.
Salmon Viewing Locations
Access to Roderick-Haig Provincial Park is via paved roads off Highway 1 east of Kamloops. From the main parking lot, set out on the Lower Trail System and take in the spectacle either from the viewing platform, or right on the gravel banks of the river along the trails.
For best photos of the sockeye, select underwater camera settings or use a polarizing filter.
Bring binoculars to watch for eagles attracted by the rich food source of dead sockeye. Bear sightings are also a possibility.
Salute to the Sockeye Festival
Dominant years are marked by the three-week Salute to the Sockeye Festival in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park. Displays cover everything from the sockeye life cycle to best recipes and cooking tips. The Aboriginal bannock stand is usually the busiest concession. Park naturalists and fisheries personnel are on hand to answer questions.
Try to visit mid-week. The salmon festival draws hundreds of thousands and the weekends are extremely busy. Stop at the Chase Visitor Centre for maps and brochures.
Read Less