Best Time to See Dragonflies in Colorado
July, August and June is the best time to see dragonflies in Colorado. Based on 25,566 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies 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.
Plains Forktail · John Rosford CC BY
Ebony Jewelwing · Shalana Gray CC BY
Blue-eyed Darner · Jon Robson CC BY-SA
25,566 verified observations of dragonflies in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
8,619 records (33.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 19 | 0.1% |
| April | 174 | 0.7% |
| May | 895 | 3.5% |
| Junepeak | 5,157 | 20.2% |
| Julypeak | 8,619 | 33.7% |
| Augustpeak | 6,285 | 24.6% |
| September | 3,347 | 13.1% |
| October | 990 | 3.9% |
| November | 68 | 0.3% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 1,628 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,458 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 1,417 |
| Great Spreadwing | 963 |
| Plains Forktail | 955 |
| Familiar Bluet | 892 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 858 |
| Common Whitetail | 821 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
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 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 dragonflies in Colorado:
Sightings of dragonflies in Colorado peak in July, when 8,619 of the year's 25,566 verified observations are logged — about 33.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is February, when dragonflies are hardest to find — February sees just 2 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 Colorado are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Widow 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 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 dragonflies in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 25,566 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for dragonflies in Colorado, with only 2 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Colorado?+
Dragonflies 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 dragonflies
More wildlife in Colorado