Best Time to See Chipmunks in Washington
August, July and June is the best time to see chipmunks in Washington. Based on 27,819 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when chipmunks 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.
27,819 verified observations of chipmunks in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in Washington
Peak month
August
4,346 records (15.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 841 | 3% |
| February | 727 | 2.6% |
| March | 1,423 | 5.1% |
| April | 2,680 | 9.6% |
| May | 3,322 | 11.9% |
| Junepeak | 3,734 | 13.4% |
| Julypeak | 4,307 | 15.5% |
| Augustpeak | 4,346 | 15.6% |
| September | 2,978 | 10.7% |
| October | 1,871 | 6.7% |
| November | 887 | 3.2% |
| December | 703 | 2.5% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 7,243 |
| Douglas's Squirrel | 5,739 |
| Hoary Marmot | 2,844 |
| Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 2,453 |
| Townsend's Chipmunk | 1,934 |
| Yellow-pine Chipmunk | 1,730 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 1,598 |
| Olympic Marmot | 862 |
Sightings of chipmunks in Washington peak in August, when 4,346 of the year's 27,819 verified observations are logged — about 15.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and June.
The quietest stretch is December, February and January, when chipmunks are hardest to find — December sees just 703 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The chipmunks you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Douglas's Squirrel and Hoary Marmot — 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 chipmunks 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
Tours and experiences nearby
Viator
Book a chipmunk tour in Washington
Guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences, with free cancellation on most.
Booking.com
Stay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see chipmunks in Washington?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and June, based on 27,819 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are chipmunks hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for chipmunks in Washington, with only 703 verified records.
Are chipmunks active year-round in Washington?+
Chipmunks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More wildlife in Washington