Best Time to See Tarantulas in Colorado
September, October and August is the best time to see tarantulas in Colorado. Based on 1,037 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when tarantulas 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.
Desert Tarantula · 115527224325819725585 CC BY
Texas Brown Tarantula · Chris Stahl CC BY
Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula · Millie Basden CC BY
1,037 verified observations of tarantulas in Colorado, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When tarantulas are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
September
515 records (49.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.1% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 0.3% |
| April | 4 | 0.4% |
| May | 42 | 4.1% |
| June | 37 | 3.6% |
| July | 28 | 2.7% |
| Augustpeak | 60 | 5.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 515 | 49.7% |
| Octoberpeak | 310 | 29.9% |
| November | 32 | 3.1% |
| December | 5 | 0.5% |
Tarantulas you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Texas Brown Tarantula | 809 |
| Grand Canyon Black Tarantula | 203 |
| Desert Tarantula | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when tarantulas are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for tarantulas sit around 27 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" |
| May | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Jun | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sepbest time | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Octbest time | 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 tarantulas in Colorado:
Sightings of tarantulas in Colorado peak in September, when 515 of the year's 1,037 verified observations are logged — about 49.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, October and August.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when tarantulas are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The tarantulas you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Texas Brown Tarantula, Grand Canyon Black Tarantula and Desert Tarantula — 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 tarantulas 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 tarantulas in Colorado?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, October and August, based on 1,037 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are tarantulas hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for tarantulas in Colorado, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are tarantulas active year-round in Colorado?+
Tarantulas are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see tarantulas
More wildlife in Colorado