Best Time to See Dragonflies in California
July, June and August is the best time to see dragonflies in California. Based on 145,175 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Flame Skimmer · Justin CC BY
Vivid Dancer · Public domain CC0
San Francisco Forktail · Trevor Van Loon CC BY
145,175 verified observations of dragonflies in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in California
Peak month
July
28,058 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 863 | 0.6% |
| February | 1,212 | 0.8% |
| March | 4,028 | 2.8% |
| April | 13,952 | 9.6% |
| May | 20,004 | 13.8% |
| Junepeak | 26,944 | 18.6% |
| Julypeak | 28,058 | 19.3% |
| Augustpeak | 21,324 | 14.7% |
| September | 17,526 | 12.1% |
| October | 7,721 | 5.3% |
| November | 2,518 | 1.7% |
| December | 1,025 | 0.7% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Vivid Dancer | 17,186 |
| Flame Skimmer | 12,314 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 11,397 |
| Pacific Forktail | 6,833 |
| Blue Dasher | 6,665 |
| Common Green Darner | 5,809 |
| Blue-eyed Darner | 5,129 |
| Cardinal Meadowhawk | 3,513 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 55 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Julbest time | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Augbest time | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dragonflies in California peak in July, when 28,058 of the year's 145,175 verified observations are logged — about 19.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 863 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in California are Vivid Dancer, Flame Skimmer and Variegated Meadowhawk — 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 dragonflies in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in California?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 145,175 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in California?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in California, with only 863 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in California?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in California