Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Notice: The Nimbus Fish Hatchery visitor center and parking lot will temporarily close during the slow summer season on July 1, 2025, due to ongoing contract negotiations and a need to update the center’s HVAC system. CDFW anticipates re-opening in September 2025.

Overview

Located in eastern Sacramento County, Nimbus Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers free fun and educational activities for children and adults of all ages. Enjoy the on-site nature trail along the American River to view wildlife, as well as the American River Parkway trail directly adjacent to the Nimbus Hatchery.

The salmon run occurs in fall, with hatchery operations taking place from the beginning of November through mid-December. The steelhead trout run occurs in winter, with hatchery operations taking place from January through February.

Visit

Cost: Free

Location: 2001 Nimbus Road, Suite F, Gold River, CA 95670

Hours:

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The raceways (little fish ponds) close approximately 2:00 p.m. daily
The hatchery parking lot located at 2001 Nimbus Rd is open 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. daily.
Hours are subject to change based on staff availability or inclement weather. Please check our Facebook Page for the most current updates.

Contact: (916) 358-2884, Molly Shea

Directions: Off Highway 50, 18 miles east of Sacramento. Travel north on Hazel Ave. 0.7 mile, make a left hand turn at Gold Country Blvd. Travel 200 yards to the parking lot entrance on the right. MAP

Public programs:

Schools and groups with 15+ people: Guided tours are offered year-round and must be booked in advance. See the “Tours” section for more information.

General public and groups with less than 15 people: Public tours are offered on the 2^nd Saturday of each month at 11am. These are first-come, first-serve and do not require advance registration. See the “Tours” section for information about the visitor center's guided tour program.

Families with children ages 2-7: Tot Time, a nature-themed storytime with hands-on craft activities, is offered on the 3^rd Sunday of each month at 11am. Parent/guardian participation required.

Self-guided tours: Explore the Visitor Center, hatchery grounds, and river trail on your own using our Visitors Guide to Nimbus Fish Hatchery (PDF)

More about this Facility

Classroom Aquarium Education Program
Fish Stocking
- Searchable Table
- Interactive Map

Check out the Region 2 “Explore and Learn” Newsletter!

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Tours

At a Glance

FREE, including parking
For K-12 school groups and community-based organizations (scout groups, professional and non-profit organizations, nursing care centers, etc.)
1.5 hour in-person guided tours for grades K-12 and community groups with more than 15 participants
NGSS-aligned for K-12 groups, covering salmon life cycle, water systems, river habitat, and human impact on the environment

Booking Tours

Tours will not be available during the Visitor Center closure starting July 1.

All guided tours can be booked through online calendar reservation system. Peak season tours are offered from November-February, with Chinook salmon processing in November and December, and steelhead trout processing in January and February. Any tours booked between March-October are considered non-peak season as the hatchery fish ladder is closed during that time period.

Tour slots will become available on the following schedule:

June-August tour dates – April 11
September-October tour dates – May 1
November-February tour dates – August 1

Book a Guided Tour

The following instructional resources offer step-by-step instructions for using the new calendar reservation system.

For questions, or to schedule a virtual tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, please call (916) 358-2884, or email Molly.Shea@wildlife.ca.gov. Do not call Nimbus Fish Hatchery directly.