Best Time to See Dragonflies in Iowa
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Iowa. Based on 6,080 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Iowa.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Familiar Bluet · evangrimes CC BY
Ebony Jewelwing · Ethan Rose CC BY
Common Whitetail · Seth G. Breeding CC BY
6,080 verified observations of dragonflies in Iowa, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
June
2,227 records (36.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 16 | 0.3% |
| April | 100 | 1.6% |
| May | 359 | 5.9% |
| Junepeak | 2,227 | 36.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,653 | 27.2% |
| Augustpeak | 953 | 15.7% |
| September | 601 | 9.9% |
| October | 152 | 2.5% |
| November | 15 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Widow Skimmer | 506 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 397 |
| Eastern Forktail | 364 |
| Common Whitetail | 341 |
| Common Green Darner | 306 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 273 |
| Blue-fronted Dancer | 244 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 214 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Iowa
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 63 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 30°F | 11°F | 1.3" |
| Mar | 48°F | 29°F | 2.6" |
| Apr | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5" |
| May | 70°F | 52°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Julbest time | 84°F | 67°F | 3.6" |
| Augbest time | 83°F | 65°F | 3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 59°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 61°F | 44°F | 4.2" |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 1.6" |
| Dec | 39°F | 23°F | 1.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Iowa. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Iowa:
Sightings of dragonflies in Iowa peak in June, when 2,227 of the year's 6,080 verified observations are logged — about 36.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December, when dragonflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for December. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Iowa are Widow Skimmer, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Forktail — 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 Iowa
- Effigy Mounds National Monument — National Monument
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Iowa?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 6,080 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Iowa?+
December is the quietest month for dragonflies in Iowa, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Iowa?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Iowa, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Iowa