Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Arkansas
June, April and May is the best time to see great horned owls in Arkansas. Based on 136 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls 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 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Eric Schmidt CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Zachary Long CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Joseph McPhail CC BY
136 verified observations of great horned owls in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
June
18 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 2.9% |
| February | 10 | 7.4% |
| March | 14 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 17 | 12.5% |
| Maypeak | 16 | 11.8% |
| Junepeak | 18 | 13.2% |
| July | 14 | 10.3% |
| August | 13 | 9.6% |
| September | 12 | 8.8% |
| October | 7 | 5.1% |
| November | 6 | 4.4% |
| December | 5 | 3.7% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 136 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls 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 great horned owls in Arkansas peak in June, when 18 of the year's 136 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, April and May.
The quietest stretch is January, December and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — January sees just 4 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls 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 great horned owls in Arkansas?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, April and May, based on 136 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Arkansas?+
January is the quietest month for great horned owls in Arkansas, with only 4 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Arkansas?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More wildlife in Arkansas