Riverwalk Tours The guided walking tour covers Tumwater’s pioneer past, Olympia Brewing Company history and the annual salmon migration. Tour Information: We will once again offer these popular, free guided tours from July through mid September. Tours are free and limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are taken. The tour…
Winter
Deschutes River Waterfalls There are three waterfalls along the Deschutes River in Tumwater Falls Park known as the Upper, Middle and Lower waterfalls. Park visitors can view all three waterfalls while walking the 0.5 mile pedestrian walking trail.
Salmon Return (Seasonal Activity) The peak season for viewing returning salmon in Tumwater Falls Park begins as early as late August and can end as late as the last two weeks in October. Activity in Tumwater Falls Park at the WDFW fisheries facility increases dramatically during this time. For a video narrative of salmon returning…
Pedestrian Trail One-half mile of walking trails are highlighted by cascading waterfalls, still, reflective pools and massive rocks. Spanning the river at both ends of the gorge and connecting the network of trails are foot bridges designed for compatibility with the surroundings and historic accuracy. Benches along the way provide a comfortable way to relax…
Historical Markers Walk the park and learn about life’s early history on the Deschutes River. Throughout the Park grounds there are six interpretive panels complete with informative text and historical photos that show how the river canyon and waterfalls were home to the first American settlement on the shores of Puget Sound and later home…
Washington Salish Native Plant Garden Dedicated in the spring of 2012, this ethnobotanical garden is a collaborative effort with Washington Salish tribes; Chehalis Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe and the Olympia Tumwater Foundation. Located near the Upper Falls, this garden’s collection of over 56 indigenous plant species represents a history of resourceful and…
Flowers
Bridge Made famous by beer: One of the most charming features of the park is the wooden footbridge above the Lower Falls. Today’s bridge is a replica of the historic span that crossed the river at that same location more than a hundred years ago and appeared on the “lucky horseshoe” logo of the Olympia…
Fisheries Facility in Tumwater Falls Park Facilities operated by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) In the early 1950s, as part of its statewide hatchery program, the Washington Department of Fisheries built a series of concrete fish ladders to help salmon get upstream. In 1962, in conjunction with the development of Tumwater Falls Park,…
