Best Time to See Copperheads in Missouri
May, July and September is the best time to see copperheads in Missouri. Based on 749 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when copperheads are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Eastern Copperhead · Court Harding CC BY
Eastern Copperhead · Mila C. CC BY
Eastern Copperhead · Alan Rockefeller CC BY
749 verified observations of copperheads in Missouri, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When copperheads are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
May
165 records (22% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.1% |
| March | 5 | 0.7% |
| April | 60 | 8% |
| Maypeak | 165 | 22% |
| June | 105 | 14% |
| Julypeak | 143 | 19.1% |
| August | 87 | 11.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 143 | 19.1% |
| October | 36 | 4.8% |
| November | 4 | 0.5% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Copperheads you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Copperhead | 749 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when copperheads are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for copperheads sit around 56 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Mar | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Apr | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Julbest time | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of copperheads in Missouri peak in May, when 165 of the year's 749 verified observations are logged — about 22% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, July and September.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, when copperheads are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The copperheads you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Eastern Copperhead — 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 copperheads in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see copperheads in Missouri?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, July and September, based on 749 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are copperheads hardest to see in Missouri?+
January is the quietest month for copperheads in Missouri, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are copperheads active year-round in Missouri?+
Copperheads are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Missouri, concentrated around May and July.
More wildlife in Missouri