Best Time to See Beavers in Washington
April, May and March is the best time to see beavers in Washington. Based on 3,170 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when beavers are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
American Beaver · Gavin Slater CC BY
American Beaver · William Kimzey CC BY
American Beaver · Public domain CC0
3,170 verified observations of beavers in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When beavers are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
580 records (18.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 209 | 6.6% |
| February | 217 | 6.8% |
| Marchpeak | 333 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 580 | 18.3% |
| Maypeak | 558 | 17.6% |
| June | 319 | 10.1% |
| July | 199 | 6.3% |
| August | 185 | 5.8% |
| September | 118 | 3.7% |
| October | 118 | 3.7% |
| November | 166 | 5.2% |
| December | 168 | 5.3% |
Beavers you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Beaver | 3,170 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when beavers are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for beavers sit around 28 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on beavers in Washington:
Sightings of beavers in Washington peak in April, when 580 of the year's 3,170 verified observations are logged — about 18.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is September, October and November, when beavers are hardest to find — September sees just 118 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The beavers you are most likely to encounter in Washington are American Beaver — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see beavers in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see beavers in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 3,170 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are beavers hardest to see in Washington?+
September is the quietest month for beavers in Washington, with only 118 verified records.
Are beavers active year-round in Washington?+
Beavers are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see beavers
More wildlife in Washington