So you're in Owen Sound, looking for a truly 'Owen Sound' experience. You've already visited the TOM, toured the Billy Bishop, and caught an Attack game. How about an adventure that follows the Sydenham River tracing the path of one of the City's most remarkable annual visitors: Chinook salmon! Owen Sound's Salmon Tour is the perfect way to round out your visit.
First things first: aren’t Chinook salmon native to the Pacific Ocean? They are. Introduced to the Great Lakes in 1967, Chinook quickly became part of the region’s ecosystem. That same year, the Sydenham Sportsmen built Ontario’s first fish ladder in Owen Sound. Since then, they have stocked the Sydenham River with countless Chinook salmon, helping establish the annual migration that continues to amaze locals and visitors alike.
The route follows the same path mature salmon take as they journey upstream along the Sydenham to reach their spawning grounds. While the salmon make the trip in the fall, visitors can follow the route at any time of year, though mid-September to mid-October is ideal for salmon activity and beautiful fall colours.
Step One: Choose Your Adventure
The beauty of the Salmon Tour lies in its flexibility.
Short on time? Take the scenic drive. Looking to get in some steps? Lace up a pair of walking shoes and hit the trail. Prefer two wheels? Bring a bicycle and enjoy the riverside route. For the most authentic experience, launch a canoe or kayak and follow the river as the salmon do.
However the journey unfolds, the destination is the same: a deeper appreciation for Owen Sound’s natural heritage.
Step Two: Start at the West Side Harbour Wall
The adventure begins along the west side harbour wall, following the Sydenham River upstream toward its headwaters.
Drivers can follow 1st Avenue West and 2nd Avenue West. Cyclists and walkers can enjoy the multi-use pathway atop the harbour wall, while paddlers can launch from the boat ramp at the north end of the harbour.
This stretch of the tour offers a wonderful introduction to Owen Sound’s River District. Along the way are anglers casting their lines, heritage architecture, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, unique shops, inviting patios, and lush green spaces lining the riverbanks.
Step Three: Stop at the Mill Dam and Fish Ladder
Located at 601 2nd Avenue West, the Mill Dam and Fish Ladder is a must-see stop.
Scenic views extend both upstream and downstream, with rushing water spilling over the dam and a graceful willow tree framing the landscape. During salmon season, visitors may catch sight of fish leaping as they continue their remarkable upstream migration.
From here, the journey continues south.
Drivers can follow 2nd Avenue West before connecting with 2nd Avenue East. Cyclists and walkers cross the dam and continue along 5th Street East, now following the river from the east bank.
Paddlers enjoy a unique experience at this point, as a short portage is required to move around the dam. It’s a small adventure that offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by the migrating salmon. Just be sure to take care when entering and exiting the boat.
Step Four: Harrison Park
For Chinook salmon, Harrison Park is where the story truly comes to life.
Every spring, approximately 90,000 young salmon are released into the Sydenham River here by the Sydenham Sportsmen. Once they mature, salmon return to the very same waters to complete their life cycle and spawn.
The release area, located beside the bridge east of the parking lot and restaurant, becomes one of the best viewing locations during the fall migration. Grab an ice cream, find a spot along the riverbank, and see who can spot the largest salmon making its way upstream.
With an extensive trail network, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a full-service restaurant, many visitors choose to conclude their tour here. For paddlers, this is also the end of the navigable route, as the river becomes too shallow farther upstream.
Those looking for an even bigger adventure, however, should continue onward.
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Step Five: Inglis Falls
The final stop on the Salmon Tour is one of Grey County's most spectacular natural landmarks.
Drivers and cyclists can follow 2nd Avenue South to Inglis Falls Road, while hikers can continue along the Harrison Park Side Trail and Bruce Trail through beautiful forested sections of the Niagara Escarpment.
Although the salmon themselves typically end their journey in in spawning beds south of Harrison Park, the tour’s grand finale belongs to Inglis Falls.
Widely regarded as one of the finest waterfalls in a region famous for waterfalls, Inglis Falls plunges dramatically over the escarpment into the valley below. The sight is unforgettable and provides a stunning conclusion to the tour - especially when fall colours light up the landscape.
After the Tour
After completing the Salmon Tour, a return trip to the River District is well deserved.
Enjoy a refreshing drink, linger over a memorable meal, or simply explore more of Owen Sound’s shops, galleries, and waterfront spaces. Best of all, everything in town is connected by a roads, trails, pathways, or waterways, making the next adventure just a short walk, ride, drive, or paddle away.
