Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery

Facility · Washington ·

Managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service

Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail (National Historic Trail) · Open Access

80 ft
Elevation
Established in 1901, the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery (NFH) was one of several egg collection stations for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Clackamas Hatchery, near Portland. As the human population of the Columbia Gorge increased, heavy fishing pressure and destruction of habitat resulted in the U.S. government establishing a fish hatchery at this site. Today the hatchery raises more than 15 million Tule Fall Chinook salmon annually. The hatchery uses water from several springs located at the base of the adjacent basalt cliffs, recycling the water through a unique, oyster shell filtration system to conserve water and reduce pollution. Ninety percent of the water used in the hatchery rearing ponds is recycled. The hatchery is also open on weekends in late August, September and early October, and from December through mid-May.

Getting there

Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery is located 4 miles west of the Hood River/White Salmon toll bridge on State Highway 14.

45.71670, -121.55000 · 45°43'0.1"N 121°33'0.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in7.23.93.72.21.40.80.30.41.33.05.96.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery

Can you reserve a site at Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery?
No. Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.