Best Time to See Dragonflies in Montana
July, August and June is the best time to see dragonflies in Montana. Based on 4,060 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Band-winged Meadowhawk · Gabbie Byers CC BY
Band-winged Meadowhawk · Isaac Krone CC BY
Pacific Forktail · Lara Gibson CC BY
4,060 verified observations of dragonflies in Montana, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
1,560 records (38.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0% |
| April | 5 | 0.1% |
| May | 151 | 3.7% |
| Junepeak | 703 | 17.3% |
| Julypeak | 1,560 | 38.4% |
| Augustpeak | 1,036 | 25.5% |
| September | 508 | 12.5% |
| October | 89 | 2.2% |
| November | 6 | 0.1% |
| December | 1 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 185 |
| Striped Meadowhawk | 180 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 147 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 142 |
| White-faced Meadowhawk | 136 |
| Saffron-winged Meadowhawk | 130 |
| Paddle-tailed Darner | 122 |
| Pacific Forktail | 121 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
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 47 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| May | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Montana:
Sightings of dragonflies in Montana peak in July, when 1,560 of the year's 4,060 verified observations are logged — about 38.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when dragonflies 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 dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Striped Meadowhawk and Variegated Meadowhawk — 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 Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Montana?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 4,060 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Montana?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Montana, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Montana?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Montana, concentrated around July and August.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Montana