Mountain Lions in Arizona in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see mountain lions in Arizona. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 84 of the 703 sightings logged across the year (11.9%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for mountain lions in Arizona
11.9%
of yearly sightings
84
records in December
#1
busiest month of 12
703
verified records a year
November 8.8%, December 11.9%, January 10.5%. Busiest month is December at 11.9%.
703 verified observations of mountain lions in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain lions are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
December
84 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 74 | 10.5% |
| February | 67 | 9.5% |
| March | 61 | 8.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 74 | 10.5% |
| May | 61 | 8.7% |
| June | 49 | 7% |
| July | 33 | 4.7% |
| August | 53 | 7.5% |
| September | 42 | 6% |
| October | 43 | 6.1% |
| November | 62 | 8.8% |
| Decemberpeak | 84 | 11.9% |
Mountain Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Lion | 703 |
In Arizona, December carries 11.9% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 3.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (8.8%) into December, and it heads toward January (10.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The mountain lions most often recorded in Arizona are Mountain Lion. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which mountain lions you are most likely to see
- Mountain Lion703 records
Plan your mountain lion 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 mountain lion viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best mountain lion viewing area in Arizona.
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Broader backupBook a mountain lion 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 mountain lions in Arizona in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 84 of the 703 verified mountain lions sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 11.9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see mountain lions in Arizona?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of December, January and April.
What month is best for mountain lions in Arizona?+
December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, January and April, based on 703 verified observations.
Which mountain lions are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are Mountain Lion, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See mountain lions in Arizona in other months
More wildlife in Arizona