The Visitor Center, raceway ponds, and play areas are currently closed to the public. The parking lot and River Discovery Trail are open until 3:00 p.m. daily, but access is limited due to construction on the fish ladder.
Located in eastern Sacramento County, Nimbus Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers 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.
In Our Hands: Salmon and Steelhead on the American River (Video)
Visitor Information
Hours
Visitor Center open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.
Raceways (fish rearing ponds) open daily 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Phone Number
(916) 358-2884
Address
2001 Nimbus Road, Suite F, Gold River, CA 95670
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
Tour Information
As of January 2021, in-person tours of the Visitor Center are still unavailable. The good news is that Nimbus Hatchery is offering FREE virtual field trips for K-12 teachers and students! Additionally, public groups such as scouts, family resource centers and care homes can request a FREE virtual field trip for groups of at least 10 participants.
Our virtual field trip is an interactive videoconference lasting approximately 45 minutes, during which an expert presenter engages with a live audience. The topics that our presentation focuses on include the anadromous fish life cycle, ecology, human impact on the environment and wildlife management.
We are currently scheduling programs through the spring of 2021. Beginning in March 2021, we will only offer programs on Wednesdays-Fridays. To register, follow this link and submit a request: Virtual Field Trip Request Form.
If you have further questions or a unique request, please email stephanie.ambrosia@wildlife.ca.gov.
Educational Information