Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Alaska
July, June and August is the best time to see great horned owls in Alaska. Based on 200 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls 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 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · P Holroyd CC BY
200 verified observations of great horned owls in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
45 records (22.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 3% |
| February | 5 | 2.5% |
| March | 7 | 3.5% |
| April | 7 | 3.5% |
| May | 21 | 10.5% |
| Junepeak | 37 | 18.5% |
| Julypeak | 45 | 22.5% |
| Augustpeak | 30 | 15% |
| September | 17 | 8.5% |
| October | 9 | 4.5% |
| November | 13 | 6.5% |
| December | 3 | 1.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 200 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls 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 great horned owls in Alaska peak in July, when 45 of the year's 200 verified observations are logged — about 22.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is December, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls in Alaska
- St. Paul Island
- Gambell (general area)
- Ketchikan (general area)
- Gustavus (general area)
- Mendenhall Wetlands SGR (general area)
- Gustavus--Forelands
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Alaska?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 200 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Alaska, with only 3 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Alaska?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More wildlife in Alaska