Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Spring Creek Hatchery State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34–68 °F | 51–82 °F | 34–76 °F | 30–46 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Hood River Experiment Station, 3 mi away, elevation 500 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Spring Creek Hatchery State Park is a 10-acre day-use park of Washington State Parks on the Columbia River near Underwood, known for windsurfing and kiteboarding in the Columbia River Gorge.
Quick Facts
| State | Washington |
| Nearest Town | Underwood |
| County | Skamania |
| Size | 10 acres |
| Use | Day use only |
| Parking | About 150 spaces |
| Hours | 6 AM to dusk, year-round (day use only). |
| Entrance fee | Discover Pass required: $10/day or $45/annual. |
Location & Getting There
The park lies on the Columbia River at 61552 State Road 14 near Underwood, in southeast Skamania County and inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. You get views of Mount Hood from the shore. For food, Washington State Parks points you to Bingen, White Salmon and Hood River. The park’s coordinates are 45.7238, -121.5581.
Things to Do
Wind is the reason to come. Strong west winds push against the river currents and raise big swells and whitecaps, the park has hosted professional windsurfing competitions, and Washington State Parks aims this water at experienced windsurfers and kiteboarders.
The park also lists fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, birdwatching and ranger talks. Watch for bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons, flickers and beavers. Washington State Parks describes the river here as critical habitat for three endangered salmon species and two steelhead species proposed for listing.
The State Park and the Fish Hatchery
Two different agencies share this stretch of shore. Washington State Parks runs the day-use park, which sits at the entrance to the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service runs the hatchery, established in 1901, which raises about 12.5 million tule fall Chinook salmon a year. The mile-long corridor belongs to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The hatchery offers interpretive programs and self-guided tours on weekdays and select weekends during spawning seasons, and names late August through September as the best time to see the fish. Check the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery page for tour times.
Facilities
The park has about 150 parking spaces, six unsheltered picnic tables, accessible restrooms and an automated pay station. There is no drinking water or garbage service, so bring your own water and pack out what you pack in. The restrooms close from November 1 through March 31. The shore is a rocky beach.
Rules
Keep dogs on a leash. Fires are not allowed. Camping, metal detecting and hunting are not permitted.
Plan Your Visit
Current alerts are on the Washington State Parks page for Spring Creek Hatchery, or you can call (509) 773-3145.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spring Creek Hatchery State Park the same as the fish hatchery?
No. The state park is the day-use windsurfing and picnic area run by Washington State Parks. The Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery next to it is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Do I need a Discover Pass at Spring Creek Hatchery State Park?
Yes. Discover Pass required: $10/day or $45/annual.
Can you camp at Spring Creek Hatchery State Park?
No. Camping is not permitted. This is a day-use park.
More parks nearby: Doug’s Beach State Park and Beacon Rock State Park are both within about an hour’s drive.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Spring Creek Hatchery State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum leash required; pets must be under physical control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on designated swim beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses but are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins and yurts (e.g. Grayland Beach, Seaquest, Ike Kinswa — Cape Disappointment does NOT allow pets in its yurts), typically up to two pets, with a pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $15 per night pet fee in pet-friendly cabins/yurts
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Director-designated off-leash areas are exempt from the leash rule and are conspicuously posted
Are dogs allowed at Spring Creek Hatchery State Park?
Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.wa.gov. More: Washington state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
Plan your gear for Spring Creek Hatchery State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
