Best Time to See Cardinals in Colorado
May, March and April is the best time to see cardinals in Colorado. Based on 53 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when cardinals 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.
Northern Cardinal · Archer Silverman CC BY
53 verified observations of cardinals in Colorado, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cardinals are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
15 records (28.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 5.7% |
| February | 3 | 5.7% |
| Marchpeak | 8 | 15.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 8 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 15 | 28.3% |
| June | 3 | 5.7% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 3 | 5.7% |
| September | 1 | 1.9% |
| October | 1 | 1.9% |
| November | 3 | 5.7% |
| December | 5 | 9.4% |
Cardinals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | 53 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when cardinals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for cardinals sit around 9 to 57 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" |
| Marbest time | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Jun | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 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.
Sightings of cardinals in Colorado peak in May, when 15 of the year's 53 verified observations are logged — about 28.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, March and April.
The quietest stretch is July, September and October, when cardinals are hardest to find — no verified records exist for July. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The cardinals you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Northern Cardinal — 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 cardinals 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see cardinals in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, March and April, based on 53 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are cardinals hardest to see in Colorado?+
July is the quietest month for cardinals in Colorado, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are cardinals active year-round in Colorado?+
Cardinals are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see cardinals
More wildlife in Colorado