Mountain Lions in Montana in April

Yes, April is a good month to see mountain lions in Montana. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 14 of the 162 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

North American Mountain Lion photographed in MontanaMountain Lion photographed in MontanaMountain Lion photographed in Montana
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for mountain lions in Montana

8.6%

of yearly sightings

14

records in April

#5

busiest month of 12

162

verified records a year

March 11.7%, April 8.6%, May 6.2%. Busiest month is January at 14.8%.

Best months: January, March, November

162 verified observations of mountain lions in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When mountain lions are recorded in Montana

Peak month

January

24 records (14.8% of the year)

Quietest month

July

6 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak2414.8%
February116.8%
Marchpeak1911.7%
April148.6%
May106.2%
June148.6%
July63.7%
August127.4%
September106.2%
October84.9%
Novemberpeak1811.1%
December169.9%

Mountain Lions you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Mountain Lion162

In Montana, April carries 8.6% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 0.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from March (11.7%) into April, and it heads toward May (6.2%) after. The busiest month is January (14.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The mountain lions most often recorded in Montana are Mountain Lion. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which mountain lions you are most likely to see

  • Mountain Lion162 records
Plan your tripBig Hole National Battlefield

Plan your mountain lion 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see mountain lions in Montana in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 14 of the 162 verified mountain lions sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see mountain lions in Montana?+

April is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though January and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for mountain lions in Montana?+

January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and November, based on 162 verified observations.

Which mountain lions are you most likely to see in Montana?+

The most-recorded species in Montana are Mountain Lion, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.