Best Time to See Bighorn Sheep in Colorado
July, June and August is the best time to see bighorn sheep in Colorado. Based on 4,311 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bighorn sheep are most active across the year in Colorado.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bighorn Sheep · Jared Shorma CC BY
Bighorn Sheep · Public domain CC0
Bighorn Sheep · Public domain CC0
4,311 verified observations of bighorn sheep in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bighorn sheep are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
699 records (16.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 129 | 3% |
| February | 151 | 3.5% |
| March | 263 | 6.1% |
| April | 375 | 8.7% |
| May | 425 | 9.9% |
| Junepeak | 607 | 14.1% |
| Julypeak | 699 | 16.2% |
| Augustpeak | 571 | 13.2% |
| September | 385 | 8.9% |
| October | 311 | 7.2% |
| November | 241 | 5.6% |
| December | 154 | 3.6% |
Bighorn Sheep you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep | 4,311 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bighorn sheep are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bighorn sheep sit around 42 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Apr | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| May | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Julbest time | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bighorn sheep in Colorado:
Sightings of bighorn sheep in Colorado peak in July, when 699 of the year's 4,311 verified observations are logged — about 16.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when bighorn sheep are hardest to find — January sees just 129 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bighorn sheep you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Bighorn Sheep — 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 bighorn sheep in Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bighorn sheep in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 4,311 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bighorn sheep hardest to see in Colorado?+
January is the quietest month for bighorn sheep in Colorado, with only 129 verified records.
Are bighorn sheep active year-round in Colorado?+
Bighorn sheep are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bighorn sheep
More wildlife in Colorado