Dragonflies in Montana in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in Montana. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,560 of the 4,060 sightings logged across the year (38.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for dragonflies in Montana
38.4%
of yearly sightings
1,560
records in July
#1
busiest month of 12
4,060
verified records a year
June 17.3%, July 38.4%, August 25.5%. Busiest month is July at 38.4%.
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 |
In Montana, July carries 38.4% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 30.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (17.3%) into July, and it heads toward August (25.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Montana are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Striped Meadowhawk and Variegated Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Band-winged Meadowhawk185 records
- Striped Meadowhawk180 records
- Variegated Meadowhawk147 records
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer142 records
- White-faced Meadowhawk136 records
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk130 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Montana.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Montana
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dragonflies in Montana in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 1,560 of the 4,060 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 38.4% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see dragonflies in Montana?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.
What month is best for dragonflies in Montana?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 4,060 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Striped Meadowhawk and Variegated Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Montana in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Montana