Snakes in Montana in August
Yes, August is a good month to see snakes in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 586 of the 3,806 sightings logged across the year (15.4%), 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.
Good month for snakes in Montana
15.4%
of yearly sightings
586
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
3,806
verified records a year
July 21.5%, August 15.4%, September 11.2%. Busiest month is June at 24.6%.
3,806 verified observations of snakes in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Montana
Peak month
June
938 records (24.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.1% |
| February | 2 | 0.1% |
| March | 27 | 0.7% |
| April | 160 | 4.2% |
| Maypeak | 667 | 17.5% |
| Junepeak | 938 | 24.6% |
| Julypeak | 820 | 21.5% |
| August | 586 | 15.4% |
| September | 425 | 11.2% |
| October | 145 | 3.8% |
| November | 27 | 0.7% |
| December | 7 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 1,328 |
| Gopher Snake | 591 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 430 |
| Common Garter Snake | 343 |
| North American Racer | 315 |
| Northern Rubber Boa | 239 |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard | 204 |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | 97 |
In Montana, August carries 15.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 7.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (21.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (11.2%) after. The busiest month is June (24.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The snakes most often recorded in Montana are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake1,328 records
- Gopher Snake591 records
- Prairie Rattlesnake430 records
- Common Garter Snake343 records
- North American Racer315 records
- Northern Rubber Boa239 records
Plan your snake 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.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Montana in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 586 of the 3,806 verified snakes sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 15.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see snakes in Montana?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for snakes in Montana?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 3,806 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Montana in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Montana