Every autumn at Oxbow Regional Park, Salmon Homecoming occurs along the Sandy River. Two years ago, Indigenous community members helped re-envision the event to incorporate their cultural traditions. This two-day event includes: Indigenous storytelling, tea preparation, drumming, a Salmon Bake, and native plant walks introducing people to Indigenous perspectives on plants, animals, and water.
Dates: Sat. Oct. 19 and Sun. Oct. 20
Costs: $5/car, $7/bus; no registration required; Pre-pay for parking
Difficulty: easy
View salmon
Sat. Oct. 19 and Sun. Oct. 20
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Metro staff, volunteer and community members at the river’s edge. They’ll help you spot spawning salmon and learn about the behavior and life cycle of salmon. Borrow a pair of polarized fish-viewing glasses.
Ages: all ages
Hot Drinks
Sat. Oct. 19 and Sun. Oct. 20
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or cider around the campfire. Guaranteed to take the chill off and lift your spirits for a walk in the autumn woods. First-come, first-served.
Ages: all ages
Plant Walks
Sat. Oct. 19 and Sun. Oct. 20
Meet at Alder shelter, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Come participate in a native plant walk led by an Indigenous community member and learn more about the unique ecology of our region.
Sandy River restoration walk
Oct. 19, meet at Alder Shelter
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m.
Take a walk along the Sandy River and learn about the restoration work happening to improve water quality and restore habitat for native fish, such as salmon, steelhead and Pacific lamprey. On this walk, participants will look for native fish spawning in the river and learn the characteristics of healthy fish habitat.
Lichen and moss
Oct. 20, meet at Alder Shelter
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Diminutive but darling, Northwest mosses and lichens are renowned for their abundance and diversity. Grab your hand lens and join a naturalist in taking a closer look into the enchanting world of mosses and lichens. Learn about their ecology and how to identify them.
Pets policy: To protect plants, wildlife and people, Metro does not allow pets at most regional parks and natural areas. Pets can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife the region has worked to protect. In natural areas where pets are not allowed, people see more wildlife and get closer to it. Seeing-eye dogs or other service animals are allowed. Please bring cleanup materials.