Best Time to See Dragonflies in Arkansas
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Arkansas. Based on 16,203 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies 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 June 28, 2026.
Ozark Emerald · hr_dragonfly CC BY
Russet-tipped Clubtail · Gordon C. Snelling CC BY
Interior Least Clubtail · hr_dragonfly CC BY
16,203 verified observations of dragonflies in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
June
3,665 records (22.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 0% |
| February | 24 | 0.1% |
| March | 360 | 2.2% |
| April | 1,410 | 8.7% |
| May | 2,479 | 15.3% |
| Junepeak | 3,665 | 22.6% |
| Julypeak | 3,505 | 21.6% |
| Augustpeak | 2,538 | 15.7% |
| September | 1,430 | 8.8% |
| October | 643 | 4% |
| November | 123 | 0.8% |
| December | 18 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Pondhawk | 1,443 |
| Common Whitetail | 1,230 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,153 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 728 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 710 |
| Widow Skimmer | 673 |
| Powdered Dancer | 590 |
| Fragile Forktail | 572 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 70 to 92 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" |
| Apr | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| May | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Augbest time | 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.
More on dragonflies in Arkansas:
Sightings of dragonflies in Arkansas peak in June, when 3,665 of the year's 16,203 verified observations are logged — about 22.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 8 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Eastern Pondhawk, Common Whitetail and Blue Dasher — 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 dragonflies 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 dragonflies in Arkansas?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 16,203 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Arkansas?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Arkansas, with only 8 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Arkansas?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Arkansas