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Watching Whales at Redwood National And State Parks

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Published Date

March 13, 2011

The Klamath River Overlook in Redwood National and State Parks is a great place from which to spot migrating Pacific gray whales. NPS photo.

March can be a great time to spot migrating whales off the coast of Redwood National and State Parks, and to help you spy them rangers will be on hand Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through the end of March to help you sight the leviathans.

Redwood National and State Parks Superintendents Steve Chaney and Jeff Bomke say the rangers will be on hand portions of each of those days at the Klamath River Overlook to help you look for Pacific gray whales as they head north from Mexico to their summering grounds off the coast of Alaska.

Gray whales feed in the shallow water, using their baleen to filter small shrimp-like animals that dwell in the mud, according to park biologists. If the weather is clear, you can see these large marine mammals within a few hundred yards of shore. If you're visiting the parks this month, check at one of the park's visitor center for times to find a ranger at the overlook.

You can find the Klamath River Overlook on Requa Road, off Highway 101, approximately 3 miles north of the Klamath River and 15 miles south of Crescent City, California.  The overlook provides a spectacular view of the mouth of the Klamath River where it meets the Pacific Ocean. This is an excellent spot to view a variety of birds as well as several species of marine mammals.  Park officials suggest you bring binoculars and wear warm clothes. 

For more information, you can contact the park's Crescent City Information Center at (707) 465-7335, or the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center (707) 465-7765.

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Comments

Submitted by admin on March 13, 2011 - 11:54am.

This brings back memories! I used to live near there, in Trinidad and McKinleyville. Gorgeous area, but too wet for this Colorado girl. The marine life is incredible. I routinely saw sea lions all over the place, and whales on occassion. I even spent one semester volunteering on a marine mammal census project. Cathy Dold


Submitted by John Cameron on March 14, 2011 - 1:34am.

This is my stomping grounds and is well worth the rather off the beaten
path trip.  The photo shows the spit of sand that closes of most of the
mouth of the Klamath River. Coincidentally it is where the one fatality
(that I know of) occurred during the very recent tsunami when a
sightseer/photographer was swept away by the second big surge.  Tragic!


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