As of today, out of season, returns ~August. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each August through October, tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) at Point Reyes National Seashore enter their annual rut.
Bull elk bugle loudly to attract females and intimidate rivals, then spar with clashing antlers to establish dominance and claim harems.
Tule elk are the smallest elk subspecies in North America and were driven to near-extinction in the 1800s, with perhaps only 2-4 individuals surviving before conservation efforts brought them back.
Today, three herds totaling 500-600 animals roam Point Reyes: a fenced herd at Tomales Point and two free-ranging herds in the Limantour and Drakes Beach areas.
The Tomales Point herd offers the most reliable and dramatic rut viewing, with bulls silhouetted against Pacific headland vistas.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Tomales Point Trail (Tule Elk Reserve) |
| Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (Drakes Beach Herd Range) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.