Snakes in Colorado in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Colorado. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 7,409 of the 36,554 sightings logged across the year (20.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Colorado
20.3%
of yearly sightings
7,409
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
36,554
verified records a year
April 7.2%, May 20.3%, June 22.3%. Busiest month is June at 22.3%.
36,554 verified observations of snakes in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
June
8,145 records (22.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22 | 0.1% |
| February | 48 | 0.1% |
| March | 417 | 1.1% |
| April | 2,619 | 7.2% |
| Maypeak | 7,409 | 20.3% |
| Junepeak | 8,145 | 22.3% |
| Julypeak | 6,684 | 18.3% |
| August | 5,163 | 14.1% |
| September | 4,216 | 11.5% |
| October | 1,559 | 4.3% |
| November | 235 | 0.6% |
| December | 37 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 6,118 |
| Gopher Snake | 5,626 |
| Prairie Lizard | 3,720 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 3,127 |
| Plateau Fence Lizard | 1,798 |
| Plains Garter Snake | 1,742 |
| North American Racer | 1,431 |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | 1,370 |
In Colorado, May carries 20.3% of the year's snakes sightings, about 12 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Colorado are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake6,118 records
- Gopher Snake5,626 records
- Prairie Lizard3,720 records
- Prairie Rattlesnake3,127 records
- Plateau Fence Lizard1,798 records
- Plains Garter Snake1,742 records
Plan your snake trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Colorado in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 7,409 of the 36,554 verified snakes sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 20.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Colorado?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for snakes in Colorado?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 36,554 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Colorado in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Colorado