Best Time to See Dragonflies in Kansas
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Kansas. Based on 10,328 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Kansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Widow Skimmer · Thomas Koffel CC BY
Widow Skimmer · Gemma Wyatt & Sean Riha CC BY
Common Whitetail · Brandon Clark CC BY
10,328 verified observations of dragonflies in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
June
2,944 records (28.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 5 | 0% |
| March | 35 | 0.3% |
| April | 386 | 3.7% |
| May | 783 | 7.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,944 | 28.5% |
| Julypeak | 2,850 | 27.6% |
| Augustpeak | 1,894 | 18.3% |
| September | 1,089 | 10.5% |
| October | 303 | 2.9% |
| November | 30 | 0.3% |
| December | 6 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Widow Skimmer | 902 |
| Common Whitetail | 838 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 679 |
| Blue Dasher | 482 |
| Blue-fronted Dancer | 429 |
| Familiar Bluet | 398 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 352 |
| Common Green Darner | 349 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
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 67 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Feb | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Mar | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| May | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Julbest time | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Augbest time | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Kansas:
Sightings of dragonflies in Kansas peak in June, when 2,944 of the year's 10,328 verified observations are logged — about 28.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, 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 Kansas are Widow Skimmer, Common Whitetail and Eastern Pondhawk — 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 Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Kansas?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 10,328 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Kansas?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Kansas, with only 3 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Kansas?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Kansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Kansas