Best Time to See Owls in Alaska
June, July and August is the best time to see owls in Alaska. Based on 969 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 30, 2026.
Western Screech-Owl · Matt Muir CC BY
Northern Saw-whet Owl · Alexandria 'Alex' Wenninger CC BY
Boreal Owl · Brook CC BY
969 verified observations of owls in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
200 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 40 | 4.1% |
| February | 56 | 5.8% |
| March | 66 | 6.8% |
| April | 53 | 5.5% |
| May | 105 | 10.8% |
| Junepeak | 200 | 20.6% |
| Julypeak | 122 | 12.6% |
| Augustpeak | 117 | 12.1% |
| September | 73 | 7.5% |
| October | 49 | 5.1% |
| November | 57 | 5.9% |
| December | 31 | 3.2% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 193 |
| Short-eared Owl | 180 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 178 |
| Snowy Owl | 124 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 64 |
| Great Gray Owl | 57 |
| Boreal Owl | 52 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 43 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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 owls in Alaska peak in June, when 200 of the year's 969 verified observations are logged — about 20.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when owls are hardest to find — December sees just 31 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Northern Hawk 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 owls 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Alaska?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 969 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for owls in Alaska, with only 31 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Alaska?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Alaska