With the imminent return of the Season of the Wild to the Harrison River Valley, it’s the ultimate time to experience the bounty of wildlife to be found here! Waterways splash with spawning salmon while sturgeon, the ghostly dinosaurs of the deep, glide in the depths below. The skies are filled with soaring bald eagles, attracted by the plentiful salmon buffet. This rich ecosystem also attracts scores of other wildlife, on the hunt for sustenance. Pack your camera, binoculars, and sense of wonder and head just up the road to bask in nature’s astonishing symphony!
Wildlife Viewing Locations
• Kilby Provincial Park Loop Trail. Start at Kilby Historic Site or at Kilby Provincial Park and walk along the beach, then make your way to the dyke. Follow to the Lougheed Highway, and return along School Road.
• Sandpiper Resort Eagle Interpretive Trail. 14282 Morris Valley Road. From the Sandpiper parking lot, follow the Eagle signs and walk across Elbow Creek to the Eagle Viewing Gazebo.
• Qwólts Park & Whippoorwill Point. West of Esplanade Avenue at the confluence of Harrison Lake and Miami River. From Harrison Hot Springs Resort, head west towards the Hot Springs Source. From there continue onto the Sandy Cove & Whippoorwill Point Trail.
• Sts’ailes Heritage Trail. 16300 Morris Valley Road. Take in the pristine wilderness of the Sts’ailes Heritage Trail, formerly the Chehalis River Fishing Trail. Learn the history of Sts’ailes culture and traditions while enjoying 5 kms of trail which includes viewing platforms, boardwalks, and interpretive signage. The trail runs along the pristine Harrison River, the first salmon stronghold and a mecca for the bald eagles. The trailhead for the Sts’ailes Heritage Trail is immediately before the entrance to the campground. To access the trail through the campground, you will be charged a $10.00 fee. The entry is marked by two large rocks.
• Weaver Creek Spawning Channel, 17780 Morris Valley Road, Agassiz. Open 8am-3:30pm daily. In this 3km long channel, sockeye salmon, and smaller numbers of chum and pink salmon, deposit their eggs naturally. Since this channel was built as an extension to the existing Weaver Creek, more salmon can spawn naturally than in the creek alone. Great viewing happens throughout October, with the peak dates from October 15-20th.
• Birdwatching opportunities also abound at Green Point Day Use area, Miami River, Sasquatch Provincial Park, the Earthwise Society Wetland Trail and even right in the Village at the lake-front Lagoon 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.
Wildlife and Fishing Tours
• 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 7984 Macdonald Rd. Agassiz. 604-796-1210
• Kilby Lodge 76 Kilby Rd. Harrison Mills. 604-316-3988
• Champ Sportfishing Charters Launches out of Kilby Provincial Park 604-845-2489
The Stars of the Show: Salmon, Sturgeon, & Bald Eagles
SALMON
The return of spawning salmon is the spark that ignites the flurry of activity that is the Season of the Wild. Harrison River is the first designated Salmon Stronghold in Canada, which means that our river’s ecosystem supports a healthy wild salmon population.
STURGEON
The white sturgeon looks much the same as it did back in prehistoric days, with large bone plates instead of scales, lending them a dinosaur appearance. White Sturgeon can live well over 150 yers and grow to over 6 metres (20 feet) in length, and over 454 kg (1000 lbs.) in weight.
BALD EAGLES
With a massive wingspan that ranges from 6 to 7.5 feet, the bald eagle dwarfs other raptors, and is second in size to only the California condor. Adults have the distinctive white head and tail and dark black-brown body, while juveniles are a mottled brown.
More Birdlife
An abundance of birdlife, some attracted by the salmon feast, others migrating through on their winter journey, can be spotted at this time of year. According to the National Audubon Birding Society, the Harrison River Valley sees over 200 distinct species flying within our forests and wetlands. Just outside of Harrison Mills, you’ll find the Lhá:lt/Harrison-Chehalis Wildlife Management Area, which was designated an Important Bird Area due to the large number of Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans found there. It’s no wonder this region has been designated as part of The BC Bird Trail! It’s not uncommon to see osprey, turkey vultures, ducks, seagulls, great blue heron, trumpeter swans, grebes, loons, sandpipers, blackbirds, ruffed grouse… and SO many more species.
Magnificent Mammals
The abundance of salmon and healthy biodiversity in the region attracts a spectacular array of mammals, among them coyotes, bears, river otters and more. You may even spot a seal – they’ve been known to swim up the Harrison River in search of delicious fish!
What wildlife have you encountered in the Harrison River Valley? We’d love to see your HRV wildlife photography; please tag your photos with #HarrisonRiverValley to share them with us! To inspire your next visit to the Harrison River Valley, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or stop by our Visitor Centre & Sasquatch Museum at 499 Hot Springs Road. Click the button below to discover more about the Season of the Wild!
