Best Time to See Dragonflies in Alaska
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Alaska. Based on 3,628 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Treeline Emerald · Public domain CC0
Belted Whiteface · Nick Block CC BY
Black Meadowhawk · Matt Muir CC BY
3,628 verified observations of dragonflies in Alaska, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
1,546 records (42.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0% |
| April | 4 | 0.1% |
| May | 113 | 3.1% |
| Junepeak | 1,546 | 42.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,024 | 28.2% |
| Augustpeak | 667 | 18.4% |
| September | 239 | 6.6% |
| October | 32 | 0.9% |
| November | 1 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Four-spotted Skimmer | 276 |
| Black Meadowhawk | 254 |
| Sedge Darner | 220 |
| Hudsonian Whiteface | 217 |
| Variable Darner | 211 |
| Northern Bluet | 167 |
| Lake Darner | 155 |
| American Emerald | 141 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 50 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dragonflies in Alaska peak in June, when 1,546 of the year's 3,628 verified observations are logged — about 42.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, when dragonflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Four-spotted Skimmer, Black Meadowhawk and Sedge Darner — 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 dragonflies in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Alaska?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 3,628 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Alaska, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Alaska?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Alaska, concentrated around June and July.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Alaska