A woman with a braid in her hair looking through binoculars at a scrubby landscape

Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery is an excellent location to spot a variety of birds year round. The hatchery is a proud partner of the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, and every May many Bird Fest field trips visit the hatchery.  

In 2018 local neighbors helped purchase benches and place them along the hatchery trails to enhance the birding experience here at the hatchery. When birders sit still for a few minutes, the birds are more likely to move into viewing range. The benches are placed with mostly morning birding in mind (many face west, away from the morning sun sun) and in a variety of bird habitats.

The Birding Bench Trail is accessible April - November, but visitors can spot birds at the hatchery year round. Many serious birders head to the south end of the hatchery property (next to Sleeping Lady Resort) to try to spot a white-headed woodpecker.

The Guide to the Birding Bench Trail at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery has a map of the hatchery trails with benches, and our local area bird list.