Pacific Salmon Coming Soon to the Adams River!

The salmon are coming home—and there are plenty of reasons to visit the North Shuswap this fall.

Every four years, the Adams River comes alive with one of nature’s most spectacular events. Millions of Pacific sockeye salmon make their way home from the Pacific Ocean, travelling thousands of kilometres to return to their natal streams, including the Adams River, to spawn and complete their life cycle.

The 2026 return is expected to be another remarkable dominant sockeye run, and visitors from near and far will have the opportunity to experience this incredible natural phenomenon at Tsútswecw Provincial Park.

But you don't have to wait until October to enjoy the salmon—or the North Shuswap!

Start Exploring This Fall

Pacific salmon are already on the move, with some beginning their journey as early as July. Closer to home, visitors can check out Scotch Creek itself through mid-September for a chance to see late-summer returning sockeye.

There are also free Wednesday interpretive tours of Tsútswecw Provincial Park, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid-October. These tours are a great way to learn more about the salmon, the park and the importance of this incredible ecosystem.

And while you're here, make a day—or a weekend—of it!

Shop • Eat • Stay • Explore

The North Shuswap has plenty to offer visitors throughout the fall.For a full listing of businesses open daily and to plan your visit, check out the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce at northshuswapbc.com.

Salute to the Sockeye Festival – October 9–25

The highlight of the fall will be the 17-day Salute to the Sockeye Festival, taking place October 9–25, 2026, at Tsútswecw Provincial Park.

The festival will offer something for all ages, with local food trucks, local artisans, daily music and cultural events, salmon ceremonies and family-friendly activities taking place throughout the plaza area and along the park's trails.

The salmon run is much more than a spectacular sight. Millions of Pacific sockeye complete an extraordinary journey from the Pacific Ocean back to their natal streams to reproduce and ultimately give their lives to nourish the ecosystem.

For Indigenous peoples across British Columbia, salmon are revered as living relatives and sacred symbols—not simply as a resource. The return of the sockeye is a time of profound cultural, spiritual and ecological significance.

The Adams River run is recognized as one of the most important freshwater salmon runs in North America, making the Salute to the Sockeye an opportunity to celebrate both the natural wonder and the cultural importance of the salmon.

Don't Miss the Secwépemc Winter Home

While you're visiting Tsútswecw Provincial Park, be sure to add the Secwépemc Winter Home (c7ístkten̓) to your list of things to see.

Located approximately 1.7 kilometres along the trail above the Wade Road parking lot, the winter home can be accessed from the main Tsútswecw parking area. It provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the Secwépemc people and their connection to this land.

A Community Celebration

A 17-day festival of this scale doesn't happen without a tremendous amount of community support.

The Salute to the Sockeye is made possible through the collaboration and support of the Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw community, along with local and regional partners including the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Village of Chase, Shuswap Community Foundation, BC Parks and the Government of BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Shuswap Tourism, North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

The Adams River Salmon Society plays an important role in bringing the festival and salmon education to life. Its ongoing work helps visitors understand the remarkable salmon life cycle and the importance of protecting the Adams River and its surrounding ecosystem.

The festival is a wonderful example of what can happen when communities, Indigenous partners, government agencies, organizations and local businesses come together to celebrate and protect something truly special.

Make a Weekend of It!

If you're coming to see the salmon, don't just make it a day trip.

Spend some time exploring the North Shuswap. Walk the trails, visit local businesses, enjoy a meal, grab a coffee, stay overnight and discover the many reasons this region is known as Nature's Playground—a time and a place for everything.

The salmon may be the reason you come, but we're pretty sure you'll find plenty of reasons to stay.

Want to See Salmon Near You?

Pacific salmon are making their way back to rivers and streams throughout British Columbia. The Pacific Salmon Foundation's Salmon Spotting resource can help you find salmon viewing opportunities and learn when salmon are expected in locations across the province.

Explore Salmon Spotting with the Pacific Salmon Foundation

https://psf.ca/salmonspotting/

This fall, come witness the return of the sockeye—and experience the North Shuswap along the way.