Best Time to See Snakes in Arkansas
April, May and June is the best time to see snakes in Arkansas. Based on 18,724 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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.
Northern Rough Greensnake · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Eastern Hognose Snake · Public domain CC0
Prairie Kingsnake · Public domain CC0
18,724 verified observations of snakes in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
April
4,308 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 76 | 0.4% |
| February | 268 | 1.4% |
| March | 1,913 | 10.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,308 | 23% |
| Maypeak | 4,214 | 22.5% |
| Junepeak | 2,215 | 11.8% |
| July | 1,245 | 6.6% |
| August | 1,015 | 5.4% |
| September | 1,439 | 7.7% |
| October | 1,323 | 7.1% |
| November | 600 | 3.2% |
| December | 108 | 0.6% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Ratsnake | 1,829 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 1,502 |
| Northern Cottonmouth | 1,333 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 1,304 |
| Common Watersnake | 1,168 |
| Speckled Kingsnake | 1,155 |
| Common Garter Snake | 1,041 |
| Plain-bellied Watersnake | 1,022 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes 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.
More on snakes in Arkansas:
Sightings of snakes in Arkansas peak in April, when 4,308 of the year's 18,724 verified observations are logged — about 23% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when snakes are hardest to find — January sees just 76 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The snakes you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Western Ratsnake, Ring-necked Snake and 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 snakes 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 snakes in Arkansas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 18,724 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in Arkansas?+
January is the quietest month for snakes in Arkansas, with only 76 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in Arkansas?+
Snakes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Arkansas