Best Time to See Squirrels in Arizona
May, April and August is the best time to see squirrels in Arizona. Based on 24,540 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.
Black-tailed Prairie Dog · Shawn Taylor CC BY
Arizona Rock Squirrel · Lexi Amico CC BY
Rock Squirrel · markli CC BY-SA
24,540 verified observations of squirrels in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
May
3,749 records (15.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 973 | 4% |
| February | 1,238 | 5% |
| March | 2,574 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,441 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 3,749 | 15.3% |
| June | 2,515 | 10.2% |
| July | 2,454 | 10% |
| Augustpeak | 2,661 | 10.8% |
| September | 1,843 | 7.5% |
| October | 1,275 | 5.2% |
| November | 979 | 4% |
| December | 838 | 3.4% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Rock Squirrel | 7,799 |
| Round-tailed Ground Squirrel | 3,242 |
| Harris' Antelope Squirrel | 2,888 |
| Cliff Chipmunk | 2,630 |
| Arizona Gray Squirrel | 2,564 |
| Abert's Squirrel | 1,928 |
| Mexican Fox Squirrel | 661 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 456 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels sit around 49 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" |
| Mar | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Augbest time | 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 squirrels in Arizona:
Sightings of squirrels in Arizona peak in May, when 3,749 of the year's 24,540 verified observations are logged — about 15.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and August.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when squirrels are hardest to find — December sees just 838 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Rock Squirrel, Round-tailed Ground Squirrel and Harris' Antelope Squirrel — 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 squirrels 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see squirrels in Arizona?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and August, based on 24,540 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in Arizona?+
December is the quietest month for squirrels in Arizona, with only 838 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in Arizona?+
Squirrels 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 squirrels
More wildlife in Arizona