Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Nevada
May, April and June is the best time to see great horned owls in Nevada. Based on 843 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Nevada.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Jim Dreier CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Jason Eckberg CC BY
Great Horned Owl · ian bullock CC BY
843 verified observations of great horned owls in Nevada, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Nevada
Peak month
May
169 records (20% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 6.4% |
| February | 44 | 5.2% |
| March | 59 | 7% |
| Aprilpeak | 113 | 13.4% |
| Maypeak | 169 | 20% |
| Junepeak | 91 | 10.8% |
| July | 49 | 5.8% |
| August | 48 | 5.7% |
| September | 69 | 8.2% |
| October | 71 | 8.4% |
| November | 30 | 3.6% |
| December | 46 | 5.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 843 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Nevada
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 31 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 1.2" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 37°F | 21°F | 1.6" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 31°F | 0.6" |
| Maybest time | 60°F | 39°F | 1.1" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 50°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 82°F | 59°F | 0.3" |
| Aug | 79°F | 57°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 50°F | 0.6" |
| Oct | 57°F | 36°F | 0.2" |
| Nov | 44°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 33°F | 18°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Nevada. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Nevada peak in May, when 169 of the year's 843 verified observations are logged — about 20% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is November and February, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 30 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Nevada are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls in Nevada
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Great Basin National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument — National Monument
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Nevada?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 843 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Nevada?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Nevada, with only 30 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Nevada?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Nevada, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Nevada