It is especially widespread near coastal areas and in the coast ranges. Salmonberries form dense thichets under red alder inshady swamps and in moist sites along roadsides. The yellow or orange berries are generally tasty. The Native Americans ate them fresh but considered them too watery for drying. The tasty red berries were eaten fresh and dried by the Native Americans.
Thimbleberries grow in clearings, along roadsides and shorelines, and in open woods.
They are among the most shade tolerant of the native berries. It grows in clearings throughout the Maritime and in the moist forests of Idaho. Several select cultivars have been developed, including thornless varieties. They are a widely available free food during their season. Both are excellent eaten out of hand or processed.