Best Time to See Raccoons in Maryland

April, May and March is the best time to see raccoons in Maryland. Based on 4,008 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when raccoons are most active across the year in Maryland.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Common Raccoon photographed in Maryland

Common Raccoon · Maura CC BY

Common Raccoon photographed in Maryland

Common Raccoon · Public domain CC0

Common Raccoon photographed in Maryland

Common Raccoon · Public domain CC0

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, May, March

4,008 verified observations of raccoons in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When raccoons are recorded in Maryland

Peak month

April

493 records (12.3% of the year)

Quietest month

August

233 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2576.4%
February3208%
Marchpeak45111.3%
Aprilpeak49312.3%
Maypeak49312.3%
June42810.7%
July2937.3%
August2335.8%
September2385.9%
October2877.2%
November2496.2%
December2666.6%

Raccoons you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Raccoon4,008

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Maryland

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when raccoons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for raccoons sit around 37 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan44°F30°F3.3"
Feb48°F31°F3.9"
Marbest time56°F37°F3.9"
Aprbest time66°F45°F4.7"
Maybest time73°F54°F4.7"
Jun83°F64°F5.4"
Jul89°F70°F7.3"
Aug85°F69°F7.6"
Sep79°F62°F4.9"
Oct69°F52°F4.9"
Nov56°F40°F3.2"
Dec49°F34°F4.8"

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 raccoons in Maryland:

Sightings of raccoons in Maryland peak in April, when 493 of the year's 4,008 verified observations are logged — about 12.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.

The quietest stretch is August, September and November, when raccoons are hardest to find — August sees just 233 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The raccoons you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Common Raccoon — 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 raccoons in Maryland

  • Antietam National BattlefieldNational Battlefield
  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Assateague Island National SeashoreNational Seashore
  • Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • Chesapeake Bay

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see raccoons in Maryland?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 4,008 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are raccoons hardest to see in Maryland?+

August is the quietest month for raccoons in Maryland, with only 233 verified records.

Are raccoons active year-round in Maryland?+

Raccoons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.