Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail

The Kennedy Creek Trail has been in full operation since 2000 and offers salmon viewing and habitat interpretation in a natural setting that educates students, teachers, and the general public about what Washington’s at-risk salmon runs need to survive and prosper. The program has grown each year for example in 2001 there were 1,400 weekend visitors and 1,200 school children. In 2002, 1,700 people visited the trail along with 2,100 school children.

The ½-mile interpretive trail is a low-impact trail system with interpretive signage and viewing platforms for watching wild chum salmon. The trail traverses riparian areas and pleasant second growth lowland forest. Most of the trail is ADA accessible. The trail is open to the public: on weekends during the chum salmon run in November and Volunteer Trail Guides are available to answer visitors’ questions. The Trail is open for school field trips on a reservation basis on weekdays in November.

The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail was developed by South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Taylor United Shellfish Company, with generous cooperation and assistance from several organizations including Stewardship Partners.

This demonstrated habitat stewardship will serve as a model for other parts of the Northwest. Every fall a strong run of chum salmon returns to the facility, providing an excellent viewing opportunity. This trail is located in Mason County on five acres adjacent to Kennedy Creek owned by Taylor United near Highway 101 and Old Olympic Highway.