Nimbus Fish Hatchery: A Family-Friendly Guide Near Sacramento
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is one of the best-kept secrets in the Sacramento area. Families can enjoy an educational outing while immersing themselves in the outdoors along the American River. And one of the best parts? It’s completely free.
If you’ve never heard of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, they aim to sustain Chinook salmon and steelhead trout populations in the American River through conservation efforts. One of the highlights of visiting the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is that kids get to feed the fish.
If you’re looking for free things to do in Sacramento with kids, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is a fantastic option. It’s also one of the best things to do in Sacramento with kids.
What Is Nimbus Fish Hatchery?
The hatchery supports Chinook salmon and steelhead trout populations, sustaining, raising, and releasing these fish populations into the American River Watershed. The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is in Rancho Cordova.
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center features numerous interactive educational exhibits, an outdoor play area for kids, and easy, family-friendly nature trails. Want to know what to expect? Check out my Instagram Reel of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
Best Time to Visit Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Late fall and winter, mid-November to December, are the best times to visit the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, as it’s salmon and steelhead season during these months. There is a lot of fish to see during these times, as they migrate up the ladder after being released back into the American River. The salmon run happens first in November and December. The steelhead season then follows in winter, with hatchery operations typically taking place in January and February.
Egg taking also occurs during this time of the year, which is when the facility helps with the migration process due to dams blocking the fish from naturally spawning. The egg-taking process can be a bit too much for kids to see first-hand, so you might want to skip this part.
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is open each year from Labor Day through Memorial Day.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery Activities for Families
Feed Salmon & Trout at the Raceways
Feeding the salmon and trout should be at the top of the list when visiting the Nimbus Fish Hatchery with kids. It’s such a fun and interactive activity that kids will be talking about for weeks afterward.
There is a fish feeding schedule inside the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Typically, it takes place every hour. When it occurs, hatchery staff will bring fish feed out to the salmon hatchery and the steelhead trout hatchery. The fish feed is free!
If you’re lucky, you might find a provided cup for the fish feeding. If any are available, they are in the raceways where they provide fish feed. However, on popular weekends, the cups go quickly. Tip: I recommend bringing a cup or vessel for the fish feed you’ll receive. Think of it as a clump of dirt, which will move quickly when held in bare hands. A cup of some kind is highly encouraged to help keep the fish feed lasting longer, and is particularly helpful when you have kids.
The salmon hatchery and the steelhead hatchery are two separate areas within the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, and feeding occurs in each facility. Both hatcheries are outdoors, and each has accessible doorways; therefore, strollers can fit through the wide doors.
While the hatchery closes daily at 3pm, the raceways where fish are fed close earlier at 2pm.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center
The Visitor Center has some fascinating interactive exhibits. The please-touch table was a big hit with my kids. There’s a tunnel kids can climb through, a large fish egg sculpture for kids to explore, interactive fish heads, and many exhibits with buttons to press and light-up nodules. It’s a really cool visitor center with more educational and engaging activities than you might realize.
Observe egg-taking through the windows of the visitor center during salmon and steelhead season. I will again warn you that the process may not be well-suited for young children to see. The visitor center is indoors and closes daily at 3pm.
A helpful map of all points of interest at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is inside the visitor center and online.
Outdoor Play Area
Another highlight is the Super Salmon Playscape, an outdoor play area for younger kids at Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Children can climb through a big pile of fish eggs or walk through the enormous belly of a salmon. It’s an adorable fish-themed play where kids have a chance to run around and climb in a safe setting. The play area is outdoors and is to the left of the visitor center.
Outdoor Viewing Windows
Kids will love checking out the outdoor viewing windows to get a unique underwater glimpse of the salmon and steelhead. These are large outdoor windows, and there’s a whole row of them. Note that the windows may be foggy on some mornings, making it difficult to view the fish.
River Discovery Trail
Don’t skip the River Discovery Trail when visiting the Nimbus Fish Hatchery! This trail is easy and accessible, making it doable for kids of all ages. The trail is also short, at only a total of 1/4 mile. It hugs the American River and has various educational panels along the way. The trail is an out-and-back path concluding at an American River overlook.
From the vantage point of this trail, families will see wildlife along the American River. Look up to spot the birds on the telephone pole. You’ll even get to see the salmon and steelhead being released back into the American River.
There is a large River Discovery Sign that marks the start of the trail, which begins next to the steelhead hatchery. Note that the trail can get muddy with puddles after recent rain, so keep this in mind if taking a stroller. Consider bringing rain boots for children.
Tot Time
On the third Sunday of every month, while the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is open, a free Tot Time for kids ages 2-7 takes place. Tot Time includes a storytime with interactive crafts and activities. Tot Time takes place at 11am, and a parent or guardian is required to participate. This is not a drop-off program.
Holding Ponds & Fish Ladder
The holding ponds, raceways, and fish ladder are various points at the fish hatchery where you can view salmon and steelhead. While the viewing windows provide an underwater perspective, these areas offer vantage points from above and at the surface level. You will be amazed at how many fish you’ll see in these areas during the peak fall and winter seasons.
Other Amenities at Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Restrooms
Full restrooms with changing tables are available inside the Visitor Center.
Parking
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery has a large parking lot, and parking is free. However, on busy weekends during the salmon and steelhead seasons, the parking lot fills up quickly. I recommend going early in the day to grab a parking spot before the lot fills up.
Picnic Area
If kids need a snack, there’s a picnic area next to the Visitor Center. There are several tables for a rest or snack break. Or make a day of it and bring food along for a lunch picnic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nimbus Fish Hatchery Good for Young Kids?
Yes! The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is a fantastic outing for kids. There are unique and fun interactive activities coupled with several educational experiences. When you need a break from playgrounds, this is a unique outdoor activity that kids of all ages will appreciate. Everything is walkable, stroller-friendly, and there is a lot for kids to see and do. Trust me when I say you’ll be at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery longer than you expected.
Is Nimbus Fish Hatchery Really Free?
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is entirely free! Parking is free, and provided fish feed is also free. Nimbus Fish Hatchery is definitely one of the best free things to do in Sacramento with kids.
What are the hours of operation?
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is open annually from Labor Day to Memorial Day. The hours are Monday – Friday from 8am to 3pm and Saturday & Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Visitor Center hours vary on holidays. For the most updated hours of operation, check the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Facebook page.
Can kids feed the fish?
Yes, they absolutely can. Anyone is welcome to feed the fish. The feed must be from the hatchery at the specific fish feeding times. Stop inside the Visitor Center when first arriving at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to confirm the fish feeding times for that day. They tend to happen hourly. Kids will love the experience of feeding fish.
Is food available at Nimbus Fish Hatchery?
Food is not available for sale. You’ll need to bring snacks or lunch with you and eat at the picnic tables next to the Visitor Center.
Are restrooms available?
Yes, full restrooms are inside the Visitor Center. Restrooms also have changing tables.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery: 2001 Nimbus Road, Suite F, Gold River, CA 95670
