Dragonflies in Arizona in October
Yes, October is a good month to see dragonflies in Arizona. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 5,666 of the 53,508 sightings logged across the year (10.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Arizona
10.6%
of yearly sightings
5,666
records in October
#6
busiest month of 12
53,508
verified records a year
September 16.9%, October 10.6%, November 3.8%. Busiest month is September at 16.9%.
53,508 verified observations of dragonflies in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
September
9,032 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 335 | 0.6% |
| February | 497 | 0.9% |
| March | 1,504 | 2.8% |
| April | 4,781 | 8.9% |
| May | 5,957 | 11.1% |
| June | 6,722 | 12.6% |
| Julypeak | 7,634 | 14.3% |
| Augustpeak | 8,488 | 15.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 9,032 | 16.9% |
| October | 5,666 | 10.6% |
| November | 2,007 | 3.8% |
| December | 885 | 1.7% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Flame Skimmer | 3,634 |
| Blue Dasher | 3,089 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 2,668 |
| Springwater Dancer | 2,311 |
| Familiar Bluet | 2,132 |
| Blue-ringed Dancer | 1,805 |
| Mexican Amberwing | 1,764 |
| Roseate Skimmer | 1,524 |
In Arizona, October carries 10.6% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 2.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (16.9%) into October, and it heads toward November (3.8%) after. The busiest month is September (16.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Arizona are Flame Skimmer, Blue Dasher and Variegated Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Flame Skimmer3,634 records
- Blue Dasher3,089 records
- Variegated Meadowhawk2,668 records
- Springwater Dancer2,311 records
- Familiar Bluet2,132 records
- Blue-ringed Dancer1,805 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Arizona
Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Arizona.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Arizona
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dragonflies in Arizona in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 5,666 of the 53,508 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 10.6% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see dragonflies in Arizona?+
October is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though September and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in Arizona?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and July, based on 53,508 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are Flame Skimmer, Blue Dasher and Variegated Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Arizona in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Arizona