Best Time to See Dragonflies in Maryland
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Maryland. Based on 67,241 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Maryland.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Ebony Jewelwing · Public domain CC0
Gray Petaltail · Matt Muir CC BY
Selys' Sundragon · Mike Ostrowski CC BY-SA
67,241 verified observations of dragonflies in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
20,471 records (30.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 36 | 0.1% |
| February | 32 | 0% |
| March | 195 | 0.3% |
| April | 3,985 | 5.9% |
| May | 8,167 | 12.1% |
| Junepeak | 20,471 | 30.4% |
| Julypeak | 18,051 | 26.8% |
| Augustpeak | 10,361 | 15.4% |
| September | 4,018 | 6% |
| October | 1,386 | 2.1% |
| November | 488 | 0.7% |
| December | 51 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 5,318 |
| Blue Dasher | 4,748 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 4,463 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 3,438 |
| Fragile Forktail | 3,319 |
| Needham's Skimmer | 2,506 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,112 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 1,750 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
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 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Mar | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Apr | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Junbest time | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Julbest time | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Augbest time | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Maryland:
Sightings of dragonflies in Maryland peak in June, when 20,471 of the year's 67,241 verified observations are logged — about 30.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — February sees just 32 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 Maryland are Common Whitetail, Blue Dasher 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 Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Maryland?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 67,241 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Maryland?+
February is the quietest month for dragonflies in Maryland, with only 32 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Maryland?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Maryland