Best Time to See Snakes in Montana
June, July and May is the best time to see snakes in Montana. Based on 3,508 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake · Cole Wolf CC BY
Bullsnake · Grant Chovil CC BY
Northern Rubber Boa · John Powers CC BY
3,508 verified observations of snakes in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Montana
Peak month
June
866 records (24.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.1% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 24 | 0.7% |
| April | 147 | 4.2% |
| Maypeak | 591 | 16.8% |
| Junepeak | 866 | 24.7% |
| Julypeak | 798 | 22.7% |
| August | 514 | 14.7% |
| September | 390 | 11.1% |
| October | 141 | 4% |
| November | 27 | 0.8% |
| December | 7 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 1,375 |
| Gopher Snake | 604 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 445 |
| Common Garter Snake | 351 |
| North American Racer | 322 |
| Northern Rubber Boa | 249 |
| Plains Garter Snake | 84 |
| Plains Hognose Snake | 34 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes sit around 36 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" |
| Maybest time | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Aug | 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 snakes in Montana:
Sightings of snakes in Montana peak in June, when 866 of the year's 3,508 verified observations are logged — about 24.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is February, when snakes are hardest to find — February sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The snakes you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake — 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 snakes 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see snakes in Montana?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 3,508 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in Montana?+
February is the quietest month for snakes in Montana, with only 1 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in Montana?+
Snakes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Montana