San Joaquin River Refugewinter wildlife
Aleutian cackling geese winter on the refuge and neighboring private lands: they arrive in October and November and begin heading north in March, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (Oct 1–Mar 31). No official report yet this season.
Right now in San Joaquin River Refuge · September
- Monarch butterfly fall migration peak · Sep
- Sandhill cranes: back from mid-September, abundant in November, north in March (San Luis NWR Complex calendar) · Sep–Mar
3days to the next winter wildlife seasonOct 1–Mar 31, local timing
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Apr: Wildflowers in bloomApr
- Sep: Monarch butterfly fall migration peakNowSep
- Sandhill cranes: back from mid-September, abundant in November, north in March (San Luis NWR Complex calendar)NowSep–Mar
- Beckwith observation area openOct–Mar
- Aleutian cackling geese (arrive October–November, start leaving in March)Oct–Mar
- Ducks: large numbers from November, peaking in January (San Luis NWR Complex calendar)Nov–Jan
- Eagles, falcons and ferruginous hawks; the most raptor variety in winter (San Luis NWR Complex calendar)Dec–Jan
Where to watch
- Beckwith Wildlife Observation AreaElevated platform off Beckwith Road over seasonal wetlands and corn fields grown for wintering geese and cranes; usually open mid-October to mid-March, no restrooms or water, and binoculars help
- Pelican Nature TrailThree linked loops (about 4 miles) from the Dairy Road trailhead, open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; in winter, flocks of snow geese, Aleutian cackling geese and sandhill cranes often fly over
San Joaquin River Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Species (Nature's Calendar) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge?
Aleutian cackling geese winter on the refuge and neighboring private lands: they arrive in October and November and begin heading north in March, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Oct 1–Mar 31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the winter wildlife season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 3 days (Oct 1–Mar 31, local timing).
Are there restrooms?
Only at the Pelican trailhead: outdoor pit toilets, open during refuge hours. There are no restrooms or water at Beckwith.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk anywhere on the refuge?
No. Everything is closed to the public except posted nature trails, parking lots and wildlife observation areas; don't go past the "Area Closed" signs on foot or by car.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I get to Beckwith?
From CA-99 in Modesto, take CA-132 west about 8.5 miles to Gates Road, go north about 3 miles to Beckwith Road, then west 2 miles to the refuge parking lot on the left.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge?
Beckwith Wildlife Observation Area: elevated platform off Beckwith Road over seasonal wetlands and corn fields grown for wintering geese and cranes; usually open mid-October to mid-March, no restrooms or water, and binoculars help; Pelican Nature Trail: three linked loops (about 4 miles) from the Dairy Road trailhead, open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; in winter, flocks of snow geese, Aleutian cackling geese and sandhill cranes often fly over.
What is San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Wildflowers in bloom (Apr), Beckwith observation area open (Oct–Mar), Monarch butterfly fall migration peak (Sep), Aleutian cackling geese (arrive October–November, start leaving in March) (Oct–Mar), Sandhill cranes: back from mid-September, abundant in November, north in March (San Luis NWR Complex calendar) (Sep–Mar), Ducks: large numbers from November, peaking in January (San Luis NWR Complex calendar) (Nov–Jan) and Eagles, falcons and ferruginous hawks; the most raptor variety in winter (San Luis NWR Complex calendar) (Dec–Jan).