A great way to spend an afternoon, the Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery and nature trail provide a fun, educational experience the whole family can enjoy. Once you've arrived at the hatchery, you can take a self-guided tour through the grounds and then hike the short trail along the creek afterwards.
According to their website, "The Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining and building salmon and trout stocks in local waterways and facilitating public education regarding salmonid habitat and life cycles." The hatchery tour is well marked and very informational. Signs indicate the various life cycles of the fish, both salmon and trout of many varieties. There's also a series of tanks housing hundreds of fish at various life cycle stages, from young juveniles, to large females laying eggs. You can also view the salmon 'trap', the off-chute of Chapman Creek where fish will swim upstream and into the holding pond to begin the hatchery process.
The nature trail is a short, forested walk to the edge of Chapman Creek, where it then splits to the right or left. To the left is a viewing platform with a beautiful view of the creek plus a picnic table. The trail to the right is a bit longer and allows you to enjoy the creek's small rapids and beautiful fall foliage. At the end, the trail connects to the larger, official Chapman Creek Trail. Continuing on this trail would be a great choice for those looking for a longer hike!
MAP & DIRECTIONS:
Drive up Field Road in Wilson Creek from Hwy 101, then turn left on Parkway. Drive all the way to the end of Parkway where you will see the signs for the hatchery and the nature trail.
The trails of the Sunshine Coast offer a wide array of experiences for travellers of all levels and walks of life. Ranging in length, difficulty, and experience, the trails on the Sunshine Coast are the epitome of the pristine beauty and epic landscapes of British Columbia.
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