Best Time to See Cottonmouths in Arkansas
May, April and June is the best time to see cottonmouths in Arkansas. Based on 1,339 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when cottonmouths are most active across the year in Arkansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern Cottonmouth · kirk gardner CC BY
Northern Cottonmouth · Mila Turov CC BY
Northern Cottonmouth · Joshua Liverman CC BY
1,339 verified observations of cottonmouths in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cottonmouths are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
261 records (19.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0.7% |
| February | 21 | 1.6% |
| March | 119 | 8.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 258 | 19.3% |
| Maypeak | 261 | 19.5% |
| Junepeak | 178 | 13.3% |
| July | 132 | 9.9% |
| August | 106 | 7.9% |
| September | 113 | 8.4% |
| October | 106 | 7.9% |
| November | 27 | 2% |
| December | 9 | 0.7% |
Cottonmouths you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cottonmouth | 1,339 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when cottonmouths are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for cottonmouths sit around 52 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Oct | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
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 cottonmouths in Arkansas peak in May, when 261 of the year's 1,339 verified observations are logged — about 19.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when cottonmouths are hardest to find — January sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The cottonmouths you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Northern Cottonmouth — 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 cottonmouths in Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see cottonmouths in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,339 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are cottonmouths hardest to see in Arkansas?+
January is the quietest month for cottonmouths in Arkansas, with only 9 verified records.
Are cottonmouths active year-round in Arkansas?+
Cottonmouths are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see cottonmouths
More wildlife in Arkansas