Best Time to See Owls in Arkansas
March, April and May is the best time to see owls in Arkansas. Based on 731 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
731 verified observations of owls in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
March
95 records (13% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 49 | 6.7% |
| February | 59 | 8.1% |
| Marchpeak | 95 | 13% |
| Aprilpeak | 88 | 12% |
| Maypeak | 85 | 11.6% |
| June | 65 | 8.9% |
| July | 59 | 8.1% |
| August | 49 | 6.7% |
| September | 45 | 6.2% |
| October | 39 | 5.3% |
| November | 50 | 6.8% |
| December | 48 | 6.6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 469 |
| Great Horned Owl | 132 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 93 |
| American Barn Owl | 8 |
| Short-eared Owl | 7 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 7 |
| Snowy Owl | 3 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 45 to 80 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" |
| Marbest time | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 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 owls in Arkansas peak in March, when 95 of the year's 731 verified observations are logged — about 13% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and May.
The quietest stretch is October, September and December, when owls are hardest to find — October sees just 39 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Arkansas?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and May, based on 731 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Arkansas?+
October is the quietest month for owls in Arkansas, with only 39 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Arkansas?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Arkansas