Best Time to See Snakes in Kansas
April, May and June is the best time to see snakes in Kansas. Based on 19,597 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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 June 28, 2026.
Common Garter Snake · Thomas Koffel CC BY
Prairie Kingsnake · Sarah Smith CC BY
Common Garter Snake · Anna Olderbak CC BY-ND
19,597 verified observations of snakes in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
April
4,676 records (23.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 0.1% |
| February | 40 | 0.2% |
| March | 668 | 3.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,676 | 23.9% |
| Maypeak | 4,475 | 22.8% |
| Junepeak | 2,630 | 13.4% |
| July | 1,459 | 7.4% |
| August | 1,009 | 5.1% |
| September | 2,583 | 13.2% |
| October | 1,532 | 7.8% |
| November | 451 | 2.3% |
| December | 56 | 0.3% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ring-necked Snake | 2,454 |
| Western Ratsnake | 1,727 |
| Common Garter Snake | 1,543 |
| North American Racer | 1,242 |
| Gopher Snake | 1,193 |
| Common Watersnake | 1,153 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 1,015 |
| Eastern Copperhead | 870 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes sit around 45 to 87 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" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 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 snakes in Kansas:
Sightings of snakes in Kansas peak in April, when 4,676 of the year's 19,597 verified observations are logged — about 23.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January, when snakes are hardest to find — January sees just 18 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The snakes you are most likely to encounter in Kansas are Ring-necked Snake, Western Ratsnake and Common Garter Snake — 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 snakes 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see snakes in Kansas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 19,597 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in Kansas?+
January is the quietest month for snakes in Kansas, with only 18 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in Kansas?+
Snakes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Kansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Kansas