Best Time to See Squirrels in Washington
August, July and June is the best time to see squirrels in Washington. Based on 27,888 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.
Yellow-bellied Marmot · Peter L Achuff CC BY
Eastern Gray Squirrel · Gavin Slater CC BY
Eastern Gray Squirrel · Public domain CC0
27,888 verified observations of squirrels in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels 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 | 3,782 | 13.6% |
| Julypeak | 4,327 | 15.5% |
| Augustpeak | 4,346 | 15.6% |
| September | 2,978 | 10.7% |
| October | 1,872 | 6.7% |
| November | 887 | 3.2% |
| December | 703 | 2.5% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 7,246 |
| Douglas's Squirrel | 5,748 |
| Hoary Marmot | 2,858 |
| Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 2,465 |
| Townsend's Chipmunk | 1,942 |
| Yellow-pine Chipmunk | 1,737 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 1,600 |
| Olympic Marmot | 868 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels sit around 51 to 86 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" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 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 squirrels in Washington:
Sightings of squirrels in Washington peak in August, when 4,346 of the year's 27,888 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 squirrels 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 squirrels 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 squirrels 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see squirrels in Washington?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and June, based on 27,888 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for squirrels in Washington, with only 703 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in Washington?+
Squirrels are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see squirrels
More wildlife in Washington