Snakes in Idaho in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Idaho. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,199 of the 11,537 sightings logged across the year (10.4%), 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.
Good month for snakes in Idaho
10.4%
of yearly sightings
1,199
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
11,537
verified records a year
August 11.6%, September 10.4%, October 3.8%. Busiest month is May at 24.5%.
11,537 verified observations of snakes in Idaho, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Idaho
Peak month
May
2,832 records (24.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 17 | 0.1% |
| March | 234 | 2% |
| April | 1,155 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 2,832 | 24.5% |
| Junepeak | 2,782 | 24.1% |
| Julypeak | 1,491 | 12.9% |
| August | 1,339 | 11.6% |
| September | 1,199 | 10.4% |
| October | 438 | 3.8% |
| November | 39 | 0.3% |
| December | 9 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 2,283 |
| Gopher Snake | 2,016 |
| Western Fence Lizard | 1,638 |
| Common Side-blotched Lizard | 984 |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | 793 |
| Western Rattlesnake | 729 |
| Common Garter Snake | 569 |
| North American Racer | 531 |
In Idaho, September carries 10.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 2.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (11.6%) into September, and it heads toward October (3.8%) after. The busiest month is May (24.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The snakes most often recorded in Idaho are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Western Fence Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake2,283 records
- Gopher Snake2,016 records
- Western Fence Lizard1,638 records
- Common Side-blotched Lizard984 records
- Common Sagebrush Lizard793 records
- Western Rattlesnake729 records
Plan your snake trip in Idaho
Start with live tours near City Of Rocks National Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near City Of Rocks National Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Idaho in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,199 of the 11,537 verified snakes sightings logged in Idaho across the year, which is 10.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in Idaho?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for snakes in Idaho?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 11,537 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Idaho?+
The most-recorded species in Idaho are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Western Fence Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Idaho in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Idaho


