Skip to content
Summer’s colourful transition into fall ushers in the beginning of a wondrous season in the Harrison River Valley: the Season of the Wild! The Season of the Wild is a celebration of the salmon, bald eagles, and sturgeon of the Harrison River Valley.
Every year between October and January, salmon embark on a remarkable journey from the ocean to local waterways to spawn, and thus end their lifecycle. The ecologically rich Harrison River is Canada’s first certified stronghold, and one of the most productive salmon ecosystems in the world. Attracted by the plentiful bounty, bald eagles congregate in astounding numbers to feast, creating the world’s largest winter gathering of these majestic raptors. As the waterways splash with frenzied salmon activity, a flurry of massive wings and sharp, outstretched talons eagerly capture their next meal. Meanwhile, in the deepest, darkest depths below, the otherworldly giant of the deep, the white sturgeon, silently glides and feeds. This present-day dinosaur has been witness to a countless number of these seasons during its incredibly long lifespan.
Wondering how to take part in this magical season? Below are events and activities taking place over the next few months in the Harrison River Valley!
SEASON OF THE WILD — EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
OCTOBER
• Fearless Spirits: Eagle Photography Exhibit by Andrea Chapman, Agassiz-Harrison Museum | October 4 – 21. Mon. – Sat. 10am-4pm Sun 1-4pm.
Visit Agassiz-Harrison Museum to view captivating photography by local photographer Andrea Chapman. She has beautifully captured the grace, splendour, and wild ferocity of these magnificent apex predators!
• Season of the Wild with Ya Doma Nature and Forest Therapy | October 14, 21, 28. 10-11am.
Join Ya Doma Nature and Forest Therapy to connect with nature and breathe in the wild during Sunday morning meditations. To register, email [email protected]
• Rowena’s Inn Step Back in Time Dining | October 28. Seating from 5-8:30pm.
Enjoy a gourmet, seasonally-focused meal at historic and elegant Rowena’s Inn on the River, located in the heart of prime eagle-viewing territory. Price is $95 per person. View the menu here. To book your spot, email [email protected]
NOVEMBER
• Season of the Wild with Ya Doma Nature and Forest Therapy | November 4, 11. 10-11am.
Join Ya Doma Nature and Forest Therapy to connect with nature and breathe in the wild during Sunday morning meditations. To register, email [email protected]
• Eagles, Salmon, and the HBC: Season of the Wild at Kilby Historic Site | November 18 & 19, 11am – 3pm.
The salmon have arrived and Kilby Historic Site is going “wild”! Taste salmon, learn to tie your own fish net, and make fried bannock with maple syrup. Family fun for all.
• Lights by the Lake | November 18 – January 7
Experience the beauty and delight of the season with a Christmas light display along the lakefront in Harrison Hot Springs.
• Rowena’s Inn Step Back in Time Dining | November 25. Seating from 5-8:30pm.
Enjoy a gourmet, seasonally-focused meal at historic and elegant Rowena’s Inn on the River, located in the heart of prime eagle-viewing territory. Price is $95 per person. Menu coming soon! To book your spot, email [email protected]
• Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival at Sandpiper Resort & Harrison Mills Hall | November 25 & 26, 9 am-5pm.
Come and join renowned Eagle expert David Hancock from Hancock Wildlife and renowned photographer Christian Sasse with a live streaming broadcast at the Gazebo at the Sandpiper Resort and at the Harrison Mills Hall for lectures at 11:30am and 1:30 pm. Learn more here.
– Check back for more events coming soon! –
DISCOVER THE WILD — GUIDED EXCURSIONS
• BC Sportfishing Group 100 Esplanade Ave., Harrison Hot Springs. 1-877-796-3345
• Harrison Eco Tours 100 Esplanade Ave., Harrison Hot Springs. 604-316-4460
• Shoreline Tours 100 Esplanade Ave., Harrison Hot Springs. 604-796-3100
• Fraser River Lodge 7184 Macdonald Rd. Agassiz. 604-796-1210
• Kilby Lodge 76 Kilby Rd. Harrison Mills. 604-316-3988
• Kilby Historic Site 215 Kilby Rd. Harrison Mills. 604-796-9576
• Champ Sportfishing Launches from Kilby Provincial Park. 604-796-2489
EXPERIENCE THE WILD — SELF-GUIDED TRAILS
• Kilby Provincial Park Loop Trail Start at Kilby Historic Site or at Kilby Park and walk along the beach, then make your way to the dyke. Follow to the Lougheed Highway, and return along School Road.
• Sandpiper Golf Course Eagle Walk From the Sandpiper parking lot, follow the Eagle signs and walk across Elbow Creek to the Eagle Viewing Gazebo.
• Qwólts Park & Whippoorwill Point From Harrison Hot Springs Resort, head west towards the Hot Springs Source. From there continue onto the Sandy Cove & Whippoorwill Point Trail
Note: Eagle viewing is also great along Nicomen Slough on BC Route 7 highway from Dewdney to Deroche, but use caution when parking on roadside.
PROTECT THE WILD — CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION
When eagle viewing at Sandpiper Resort, you are looking out on the Chehalis Flats (Lhá:lt). They are the resting grounds for the spawning salmon and migrating eagles. This is a highly sensitive habitat; kayaking or walking through the flats disturb the eagles and endanger salmon eggs. For the health of the wild, please stay off the flats from October through February.
GUARDIANS OF THE WILD — RESPECT THE LAND
We share the land of the traditional territories of the Sts’ailes, Seabird Island, Sq’ewá:lxw, Cheam, Douglas, Leq’a:mel, Samahquam, Sq’ewlets, and Skatin First Nations. Living in harmony with the wild has always been a sacred belief for Indigenous Peoples. As caretakers and stewards of the land since time immemorial, they are the knowledge keepers and we have much to learn from them. Please respect the land and the wild while participating in wildlife viewing.
FACTS OF INTEREST
• Harrison River is the first designated Salmon Stronghold in Canada. This means that our river’s ecosystem supports a heathy wild salmon population – all 7 species of salmon live and spawn in our waterways. • Wait a minute – 7 species? Yes! Until a few years ago, it was thought there were 5 species of salmon, however, recent studies revealed that two related species, the Sea-Run Cuthroat and the Steelhead are both true salmonids. • Salmon are anadromous: meaning they can survive in both fresh water and salt water. Few other fish can survive such a drastic range of environments.
• The salmon spawn attracts a rich and diverse collection of wildlife, hoping to feast on the plentiful fish. Did you know that seals will swim up the Harrison River? You may also spot bears, coyotes, osprey, turkey vultures, river otters and more! Keep your eyes peeled, you never know who might pop up!
• Bald eagles have massive wingspans – typically, males are around 6.5 feet, while females are around 7 feet. • They can fly up to 30 miles per hour, but dive much faster: up to 100 miles per hour • Bald eagles can live around 30 years in the wild.
• The white sturgeon looks much the same as it did back in prehistoric days. • Sturgeon have no teeth and feed by sucking prey through a vacuum-like mouth that is on the bottom of their heads. • They can live up to 100 years old and grow to over 1000 lbs. • The largest ever caught and released was in the Fraser River; at 12’4” long and 1100 lbs.
Don’t forget your binoculars and your camera to capture the incredible sights of the Season of the Wild! Click here for Season of the Wild specials on accommodations. We’d love to see your photo captures of the season; please tag @tourismharrison in your photos, and use the hashtags #HarrisonRiverValley or #SeasonOfTheWild! To inspire your next visit to the Harrison River Valley, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest or Facebook, or stop by our Visitor Centre & Sasquatch Museum at #102, 160 Lillooet Road. Click the button below to explore even more!
