Redwoodwildlife
National parkGray whales: November through December is a peak migration time off the Redwood coast, per the National Park Service: usually November through December. Its usual window hasn't started yet this year.
Updated
Sources for this timing ↓About Redwood
- What it is
- A national park in California
- A little history
- Klamath River Radar Station B-71, a rare surviving World War II early-warning radar station.
- What you'll see
- Gray whale migration · usual peak November through December
- Before you go
- When do gray whales pass the Redwood coast? November through December is one of their peak migration times, per the park. (The park's pages don't agree on the spring months, so we leave those out.)
Right now at Redwood
Right now in Redwood · October
- Roosevelt elk rut (mating season) · fall
Your guide to the area
- RedwoodUsually: November through DecemberThis page
Where to watch
- Klamath River OverlookThe park's pick for the best whale watching all year round
- Crescent Beach OverlookOne of the park's named whale-watching overlooks on the coast
Worth the drive
- Golden GateNational park254 miSeptember and October, 10 am to 2 pm
- Malheur RefugeWildlife refuge301 mimid-AugustSatSunny
- OlympicNational park472 milate September to early October
- Channel IslandsNational park553 mibegins at the end of December and lasts until AprilSatSunny
- CabrilloNational park704 miMid-January is the peak time for migration, but whales are visible from mid- to late December through MarchSatSunny
- Tijuana Slough RefugeWildlife refuge714 mifrom mid-March to mid-SeptemberSatSunny
The year at Redwood
- Roosevelt elk calves are born in open grassy areasMay and June
- Roosevelt elk rut (mating season)Nowfall
- Sep: Most humpback whale sightings offshore, followed by August and OctoberSeptember
- Gray whales: November through December is a peak migration timeNovember through December
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Redwood National and State Parks?
Gray whales: November through December is a peak migration time off the Redwood coast, per the National Park Service: November through December. That's the usual peak in the source's own words, not a forecast.
Is it the season at Redwood National and State Parks right now?
Not yet: its usual wildlife timing is November through December, usually.
When do gray whales pass the Redwood coast?
November through December is one of their peak migration times, per the park. (The park's pages don't agree on the spring months, so we leave those out.)Source: National Park Service, Wildlife Viewing - Redwood National and State Parks ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where's the best place to watch for whales?
The park names Klamath River Overlook as its best year-round viewing spot; Crescent Beach Overlook is another of its whale-watching overlooks.Source: National Park Service, Wildlife Viewing - Redwood National and State Parks ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where am I most likely to see elk?
Roosevelt elk live throughout the parks, but they're seen most often south of the Klamath River.Source: National Park Service, Wildlife Viewing - Redwood National and State Parks ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the best time to visit the tidepools?
It depends on the tide: pick up a tide schedule at a visitor center to plan your visit.Source: National Park Service, Wildlife Viewing - Redwood National and State Parks ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What's the old radar station near Klamath?
Klamath River Radar Station B-71, a rare surviving World War II early-warning radar station.Source: National Park Service, History & Culture - Redwood National and State Parks ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Redwood National and State Parks?
Klamath River Overlook: the park's pick for the best whale watching all year round; Crescent Beach Overlook: one of the park's named whale-watching overlooks on the coast.
What is Redwood National and State Parks like through the year?
Gray whales: November through December is a peak migration time (Nov–Dec), Roosevelt elk calves are born in open grassy areas (May–Jun), Roosevelt elk rut (mating season) (Sep–Nov) and Most humpback whale sightings offshore, followed by August and October (Sep).
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
National Park Service, Wildlife Viewing - Redwood National and State Parks (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · National Park Service, History & Culture - Redwood National and State Parks (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · National Park Service, Marine Mammals - Redwood National and State Parks (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.