Best Time to See Mountain Lions in Arkansas

February is the best time to see mountain lions in Arkansas. Based on 1 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mountain lions 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 June 28, 2026.

Best months: February

1 verified observations of mountain lions in Arkansas, recorded across 1 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When mountain lions are recorded in Arkansas

Peak month

February

1 records (100% of the year)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
Februarypeak1100%
March00%
April00%
May00%
June00%
July00%
August00%
September00%
October00%
November00%
December00%

Mountain Lions you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Mountain Lion1

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Arkansas

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mountain lions are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mountain lions sit around 36 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan52°F36°F4.7"
Febbest time54°F36°F5.3"
Mar64°F45°F6.1"
Apr71°F52°F6.8"
May80°F62°F5.3"
Jun88°F70°F4.4"
Jul92°F74°F3.7"
Aug91°F74°F3.3"
Sep87°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 mountain lions in Arkansas peak in February, when 1 of the year's 1 verified observations are logged — about 100% of the annual total.

The quietest stretch is January, March and April, when mountain lions are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The mountain lions you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Mountain Lion — 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 mountain lions 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 mountain lions in Arkansas?+

February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, based on 1 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are mountain lions hardest to see in Arkansas?+

January is the quietest month for mountain lions in Arkansas, with no verified records on iNaturalist.

Are mountain lions active year-round in Arkansas?+

Mountain lions are recorded in 1 of 12 months in Arkansas, concentrated around February.