Best Time to See Snakes in Colorado
June, May and July is the best time to see snakes in Colorado. Based on 22,644 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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 2, 2026.
22,644 verified observations of snakes in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
June
4,639 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 0% |
| February | 25 | 0.1% |
| March | 223 | 1% |
| April | 1,530 | 6.8% |
| Maypeak | 4,425 | 19.5% |
| Junepeak | 4,639 | 20.5% |
| Julypeak | 4,375 | 19.3% |
| August | 3,250 | 14.4% |
| September | 2,751 | 12.1% |
| October | 1,195 | 5.3% |
| November | 193 | 0.9% |
| December | 27 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 6,197 |
| Gopher Snake | 5,703 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 3,172 |
| Plains Garter Snake | 1,772 |
| North American Racer | 1,440 |
| Common Coachwhip | 531 |
| Lined Snake | 505 |
| Western Milksnake | 367 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes sit around 31 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" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Julbest time | 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.
More on snakes in Colorado:
Sightings of snakes in Colorado peak in June, when 4,639 of the year's 22,644 verified observations are logged — about 20.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is January, when snakes are hardest to find — January sees just 11 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The snakes you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake — 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 snakes 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 snakes in Colorado?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 22,644 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in Colorado?+
January is the quietest month for snakes in Colorado, with only 11 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in Colorado?+
Snakes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Colorado