Foraging may feel like an activity reserved for rural forests, mountain trails, or farmland — but nature doesn’t stop at the edge of a city. Even in urban environments like Seattle, Washington, edible plants quietly flourish between neighborhoods, greenbelts, and waterfront trails. If you know where to look, you can find wild berries in Seattle, including one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic fruits: the salmonberry.

Seattle’s mild climate, abundant rain, and lush green spaces create the perfect environment for native berry bushes to thrive. Whether you’re a local looking for your next outdoor hobby or a visitor hoping to experience the city’s natural flavor, salmonberries are a delicious glimpse into the region’s heritage.

Where to Find Wild Salmonberries in Seattle

Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) grow naturally across the Pacific Coast, but Seattle is one of the few major U.S. cities where you can forage them without leaving the city limits.

Here are the best places to look:

1. University of Washington Arboretum

The UW Arboretum is a treasure trove of native Pacific Northwest plants. Salmonberries grow:

• Along the creek beds

• Near wet or shaded forested trails

• In moist areas throughout the grounds

It’s an ideal, accessible place for beginners to start foraging.

2. The Burke-Gilman Trail

This 20-mile walking and cycling path runs through multiple Seattle neighborhoods — and salmonberries love to grow along the edges.

Look for them:

• Near wooded segments

• In damp, shaded pockets

• Close to streams or low-lying areas

This trail provides one of the largest stretches of urban-accessible salmonberry foraging in the city.

3. Ravenna Park

This ravine-style park has:

• Dense tree cover

• Creekside trails

• Deep shade and moisture

Translation? Ideal salmonberry habitat. Look along the banks and slopes, especially in mid-to-late spring.

4. Carkeek Park

A beloved local spot for beach walks and forest trails, Carkeek Park has:

• Small stream areas

• Damp forest corridors

• Abundant berry patches in good seasons

This park is also a great place to forage blackberries later in the summer.

5. Discovery Park

Seattle’s largest park offers:

• Miles of trails

• Moist lowland pockets

• Shaded forested zones

You’ll find plenty of salmonberries on the loop trail or near creeks and marshy areas.

When Salmonberries Are in Season in Seattle

Salmonberries ripen from May through July, depending on the weather.

They grow best:

• Near water

• In shaded, cool forests

• In moist ground conditions

Unlike raspberries or blackberries, which peak in late summer, salmonberries belong to spring.

Their early ripening makes them one of the first wild berries of the Seattle season.

What Do Salmonberries Look Like?

At a distance, salmonberries resemble raspberries — but their color gives them away.

They can be:

• Yellow

• Golden-orange

• Pink

• Deep coral

Each bush can produce berries in multiple shades. Their shape is similar to raspberries, but their flavor is milder, sometimes slightly tart, and occasionally almost floral.

They grow on thorny canes, so take care while foraging.

A Look at Salmonberry History

Salmonberries are deeply rooted in the cuisine and traditions of Indigenous communities along the Pacific Coast. Some traditional uses include:

• Paired with salmon (a common food pairing that may explain the name)

• Eaten fresh

• Mixed with other wild fruits

• Preserved for winter use

One theory behind their name: they resemble salmon roe, especially when ripe and glistening.

What To Do With Salmonberries

Salmonberries are highly versatile and can be used in most of the same ways as raspberries.

Here are the best ways to enjoy your foraged haul.

1. Enjoy Them Fresh

Fresh salmonberries are:

• Juicy

• Mildly sweet

• Slightly tart

• Best eaten within hours of picking

They’re delicate and don’t store as long as other berries.

2. Make Salmonberry Jam or Jelly

Their soft texture and mild tang make them perfect for:

• Classic jam

• Seeded or seedless jelly

• Mixed-berry spreads

Pro tip: Mix salmonberries with raspberries for a brighter, stronger fruit flavor.

3. Bake a Salmonberry Pie or Crisp

If you can forage enough berries for baking (they can be sparse!), try using them in:

• Pie

• Cobbler

• Crisp

• Hand pies

Since they’re softer than raspberries, add a thickener like cornstarch or flour.

4. Make Salmonberry Sorbet or Ice Cream

Salmonberries shine in cold desserts:

• Sorbet

• Ice cream

• Granita

• Frozen yogurt swirls

Their bright color makes them visually stunning in frozen treats.

5. Use Them as a Frosting Flavor

Mash salmonberries and mix them into:

• Buttercream frosting

• Cream cheese frosting

• Glazes for cakes

The result is lightly sweet with a gorgeous rosy hue.

6. Incorporate Salmonberries into Fruit Salads

Fresh salmonberries add:

• Color

• Juiciness

• Gentle acidity

Pair them with other seasonal fruits like strawberries, cherries, or peaches.

7. Make Traditional Alaska Native Akutaq

Also known as “Eskimo ice cream,” akutaq traditionally uses:

• Rendered animal fat

• Berries

• Sugar

• Occasionally fresh-cooked fish

Some modern versions substitute:

• Crisco for fat

• Evaporated milk

• Sweetener

• Other seasonal berries

Salmonberries remain one of the most popular choices for this dish.

Can You Eat Salmonberry Shoots?

Yes — the young shoots of the salmonberry plant are edible!

They’re similar to bamboo shoots and can be:

• Eaten raw

• Steamed

• Added to soups or stir-fries

Harvest only tender, young shoots in early spring.

Tips for Foraging Wild Berries in Seattle (Safely)

✔ Forage away from polluted areas

Avoid berries close to busy roads, industrial zones, or contaminated soil.

✔ Respect local regulations

Seattle allows personal foraging in many public parks, but commercial harvesting is prohibited.

✔ Leave enough for wildlife

Salmonberries are an important food source for birds and mammals.

✔ Identify plants carefully

Salmonberries are easy to identify — but if you’re ever uncertain, don’t eat the fruit.

✔ Watch out for thorns

Wear long sleeves or gloves to avoid scratches.

Seattle may be a bustling urban hub, but it’s also intertwined with nature, offering residents and visitors the chance to forage wild berries in Seattle without traveling far. The beloved salmonberry — with its vivid color and early-spring sweetness — is one of the region’s most rewarding finds.

Whether you enjoy them fresh, bake them into pies, or turn them into a uniquely Northwestern ice cream, salmonberries are a delicious reminder that even cities hold culinary surprises.