Best Time to See Ticks in Arkansas
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Arkansas. Based on 684 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks 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 22, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
684 verified observations of ticks in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
185 records (27% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 1.2% |
| February | 16 | 2.3% |
| March | 64 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 125 | 18.3% |
| Maypeak | 185 | 27% |
| Junepeak | 152 | 22.2% |
| July | 64 | 9.4% |
| August | 24 | 3.5% |
| September | 14 | 2% |
| October | 9 | 1.3% |
| November | 16 | 2.3% |
| December | 7 | 1% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lone Star Tick | 401 |
| American Dog Tick | 98 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 72 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 44 |
| Rabbit Tick | 1 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 1 |
| Alectorobius kelleyi | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks 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 ticks in Arkansas:
Sightings of ticks in Arkansas peak in May, when 185 of the year's 684 verified observations are logged — about 27% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is December, January and October, when ticks are hardest to find — December sees just 7 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick and Eastern Black-legged Tick — 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 ticks 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 ticks in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 684 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Arkansas?+
December is the quietest month for ticks in Arkansas, with only 7 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in Arkansas?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Arkansas