Best Time to See Scorpions in Colorado
May, June and August is the best time to see scorpions in Colorado. Based on 500 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when scorpions 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 July 22, 2026.
Western Forest Scorpion · Seth CC BY
Black Hairy Scorpion · Public domain CC0
Southern Devil Scorpion · Alan Rockefeller CC BY
500 verified observations of scorpions in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When scorpions are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
102 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.2% |
| February | 1 | 0.2% |
| March | 9 | 1.8% |
| April | 58 | 11.6% |
| Maypeak | 102 | 20.4% |
| Junepeak | 98 | 19.6% |
| July | 68 | 13.6% |
| Augustpeak | 91 | 18.2% |
| September | 48 | 9.6% |
| October | 18 | 3.6% |
| November | 5 | 1% |
| December | 1 | 0.2% |
Scorpions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Striped Bark Scorpion | 294 |
| Northern Scorpion | 138 |
| Black Hairy Scorpion | 12 |
| Russell's Scorpion | 11 |
| Serradigitus wupatkiensis | 6 |
| Lesser Stripetail Scorpion | 6 |
| Yellow Devil Scorpion | 4 |
| Arizona Bark Scorpion | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when scorpions are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for scorpions sit around 31 to 75 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" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 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.
Sightings of scorpions in Colorado peak in May, when 102 of the year's 500 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when scorpions are hardest to find — January sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The scorpions you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Striped Bark Scorpion, Northern Scorpion and Black Hairy Scorpion — 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 scorpions 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 scorpions in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and August, based on 500 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are scorpions hardest to see in Colorado?+
January is the quietest month for scorpions in Colorado, with only 1 verified records.
Are scorpions active year-round in Colorado?+
Scorpions are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Colorado