Chipmunks in California in August
Yes, August is a good month to see chipmunks in California. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 14,008 of the 172,073 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for chipmunks in California
8.1%
of yearly sightings
14,008
records in August
#7
busiest month of 12
172,073
verified records a year
July 9%, August 8.1%, September 8.9%. Busiest month is April at 12.4%.
172,073 verified observations of chipmunks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in California
Peak month
April
21,360 records (12.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9,639 | 5.6% |
| February | 11,279 | 6.6% |
| March | 14,904 | 8.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 21,360 | 12.4% |
| Maypeak | 19,888 | 11.6% |
| Junepeak | 18,188 | 10.6% |
| July | 15,440 | 9% |
| August | 14,008 | 8.1% |
| September | 15,336 | 8.9% |
| October | 13,037 | 7.6% |
| November | 10,596 | 6.2% |
| December | 8,398 | 4.9% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Ground Squirrel | 58,513 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 46,783 |
| Western Gray Squirrel | 17,683 |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 9,579 |
| Merriam's Chipmunk | 4,545 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 4,390 |
| Douglas's Squirrel | 4,177 |
| White-tailed Antelope Squirrel | 4,158 |
In California, August carries 8.1% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between July and August, and it heads toward September (8.9%) after. The busiest month is April (12.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The chipmunks most often recorded in California are California Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which chipmunks you are most likely to see
- California Ground Squirrel58,513 records
- Eastern Fox Squirrel46,783 records
- Western Gray Squirrel17,683 records
- Eastern Gray Squirrel9,579 records
- Merriam's Chipmunk4,545 records
- Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel4,390 records
Plan your chipmunk trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main chipmunk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a chipmunk tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see chipmunks in California in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 14,008 of the 172,073 verified chipmunks sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see chipmunks in California?+
August is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for chipmunks in California?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 172,073 verified observations.
Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are California Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See chipmunks in California in other months
More wildlife in California