Best Time to See Coyotes in Arizona

January, March and December is the best time to see coyotes in Arizona. Based on 5,217 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when coyotes are most active across the year in Arizona.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Coyote photographed in Arizona

Coyote · Public domain CC0

Coyote photographed in Arizona

Coyote · Rachel Stringham CC BY

Coyote photographed in Arizona

Coyote · Eliseo D Moreno CC BY-SA

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: January, March, December

5,217 verified observations of coyotes in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When coyotes are recorded in Arizona

Peak month

January

578 records (11.1% of the year)

Quietest month

June

312 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak57811.1%
February4879.3%
Marchpeak54010.4%
April4769.1%
May4628.9%
June3126%
July3246.2%
August3396.5%
September3626.9%
October3887.4%
November4518.6%
Decemberpeak4989.5%

Coyotes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Coyote5,217

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Arizona

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when coyotes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for coyotes sit around 34 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time52°F34°F1.9"
Feb52°F34°F1.9"
Marbest time58°F39°F2.7"
Apr71°F49°F0.2"
May77°F56°F0.3"
Jun88°F66°F0.3"
Jul91°F72°F2.7"
Aug88°F70°F2.2"
Sep84°F64°F1.4"
Oct73°F52°F0.6"
Nov63°F43°F1.5"
Decbest time53°F36°F2"

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.

Sightings of coyotes in Arizona peak in January, when 578 of the year's 5,217 verified observations are logged — about 11.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, March and December.

The quietest stretch is June, July and August, when coyotes are hardest to find — June sees just 312 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The coyotes you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Coyote — 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 coyotes in Arizona

  • Chiricahua National MonumentNational Monument
  • Coronado National MemorialNational Memorial
  • Fort Bowie National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
  • Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park
  • Lake Mead National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Montezuma Castle National MonumentNational Monument

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see coyotes in Arizona?+

January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, March and December, based on 5,217 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are coyotes hardest to see in Arizona?+

June is the quietest month for coyotes in Arizona, with only 312 verified records.

Are coyotes active year-round in Arizona?+

Coyotes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.