Best Time to See Dragonflies in Illinois
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Illinois. Based on 48,951 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Illinois.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Racket-tailed Emerald · psweet CC BY-SA
Racket-tailed Emerald · psweet CC BY-SA
Golden-winged Skimmer · psweet CC BY-SA
48,951 verified observations of dragonflies in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
June
15,869 records (32.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 4 | 0% |
| March | 97 | 0.2% |
| April | 1,122 | 2.3% |
| May | 4,176 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 15,869 | 32.4% |
| Julypeak | 13,997 | 28.6% |
| Augustpeak | 8,390 | 17.1% |
| September | 4,050 | 8.3% |
| October | 1,088 | 2.2% |
| November | 151 | 0.3% |
| December | 4 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 3,807 |
| Eastern Forktail | 3,633 |
| Widow Skimmer | 3,189 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 3,158 |
| Blue Dasher | 3,090 |
| Common Green Darner | 2,007 |
| Eastern Amberwing | 1,865 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,676 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 64 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Apr | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Junbest time | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Julbest time | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Augbest time | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Illinois:
Sightings of dragonflies in Illinois peak in June, when 15,869 of the year's 48,951 verified observations are logged — about 32.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Illinois are Common Whitetail, Eastern Forktail and Widow Skimmer — 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 dragonflies in Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Illinois?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 48,951 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Illinois?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Illinois, with only 3 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Illinois?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Illinois