Best Time to See Condors in Arizona
May, March and June is the best time to see condors in Arizona. Based on 1,386 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when condors are most active across the year in Arizona.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
California Condor · Marcus Rosten CC BY
California Condor · Public domain CC0
California Condor · Clay Gibbons CC BY
1,386 verified observations of condors in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When condors are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
May
208 records (15% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 43 | 3.1% |
| February | 46 | 3.3% |
| Marchpeak | 194 | 14% |
| April | 139 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 208 | 15% |
| Junepeak | 189 | 13.6% |
| July | 110 | 7.9% |
| August | 104 | 7.5% |
| September | 111 | 8% |
| October | 93 | 6.7% |
| November | 58 | 4.2% |
| December | 91 | 6.6% |
Condors you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Condor | 1,386 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when condors are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for condors sit around 39 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Marbest time | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on condors in Arizona:
Sightings of condors in Arizona peak in May, when 208 of the year's 1,386 verified observations are logged — about 15% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, March and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and November, when condors are hardest to find — January sees just 43 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The condors you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are California Condor — 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 condors in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see condors in Arizona?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, March and June, based on 1,386 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are condors hardest to see in Arizona?+
January is the quietest month for condors in Arizona, with only 43 verified records.
Are condors active year-round in Arizona?+
Condors are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see condors
More wildlife in Arizona