Best Time to See Squirrels in Colorado
July, June and August is the best time to see squirrels in Colorado. Based on 39,058 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.
Yellow-bellied Marmot · Thomas Koffel CC BY
Yellow-bellied Marmot · John Powers CC BY
Wyoming Ground Squirrel · Public domain CC0
39,058 verified observations of squirrels in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
8,163 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 883 | 2.3% |
| February | 780 | 2% |
| March | 1,348 | 3.5% |
| April | 3,115 | 8% |
| May | 4,044 | 10.4% |
| Junepeak | 7,081 | 18.1% |
| Julypeak | 8,163 | 20.9% |
| Augustpeak | 6,141 | 15.7% |
| September | 3,715 | 9.5% |
| October | 1,957 | 5% |
| November | 979 | 2.5% |
| December | 852 | 2.2% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 6,579 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 6,373 |
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | 6,354 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 5,775 |
| Least Chipmunk | 2,167 |
| Fremont's Squirrel | 1,966 |
| Wyoming Ground Squirrel | 1,334 |
| Colorado Chipmunk | 1,070 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels 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.
Sightings of squirrels in Colorado peak in July, when 8,163 of the year's 39,058 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is February, December and January, when squirrels are hardest to find — February sees just 780 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel and Black-tailed Prairie Dog — 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 squirrels 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 squirrels in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 39,058 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for squirrels in Colorado, with only 780 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in Colorado?+
Squirrels 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 squirrels
More wildlife in Colorado