Best Time to See Black Widows in Arkansas

September, July and August is the best time to see black widows in Arkansas. Based on 1,111 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in Arkansas.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.

Northern Black Widow photographed in Arkansas

Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in Arkansas

Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in Arkansas

Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: September, July, AugustPeak season right now

1,111 verified observations of black widows in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When black widows are recorded in Arkansas

Peak month

September

163 records (14.7% of the year)

Quietest month

January

14 records

MonthObservationsShare
January141.3%
February171.5%
March575.1%
April1059.5%
May12911.6%
June11110%
Julypeak14513.1%
Augustpeak13512.2%
Septemberpeak16314.7%
October13111.8%
November645.8%
December403.6%

Black Widows you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Southern Black Widow715
Northern Black Widow225
Western Black Widow4
Brown Widow2

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Arkansas

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 68 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan52°F36°F4.7"
Feb54°F36°F5.3"
Mar64°F45°F6.1"
Apr71°F52°F6.8"
May80°F62°F5.3"
Jun88°F70°F4.4"
Julbest time92°F74°F3.7"
Augbest time91°F74°F3.3"
Sepbest time87°F68°F2"
Oct74°F56°F4.3"
Nov61°F43°F3.1"
Dec57°F40°F3.8"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of black widows in Arkansas peak in September, when 163 of the year's 1,111 verified observations are logged — about 14.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, July and August.

The quietest stretch is January and February, when black widows are hardest to find — January sees just 14 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The black widows you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Southern Black Widow, Northern Black Widow and Western Black Widow — 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 black widows in Arkansas

  • Arkansas Post National MemorialNational Memorial
  • Buffalo National RiverNational River
  • Hot Springs National ParkNational Park
  • Pea Ridge National Military ParkNational Military Park
  • Butterfield Overland National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Fort Smith National Historic SiteNational Historic Site

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see black widows in Arkansas?+

September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, July and August, based on 1,111 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are black widows hardest to see in Arkansas?+

January is the quietest month for black widows in Arkansas, with only 14 verified records.

Are black widows active year-round in Arkansas?+

Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.