Snakes in New Hampshire in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in New Hampshire. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,008 of the 4,672 sightings logged across the year (21.6%), 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 snakes in New Hampshire
21.6%
of yearly sightings
1,008
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
4,672
verified records a year
April 8.9%, May 21.6%, June 20.7%. Busiest month is May at 21.6%.
4,672 verified observations of snakes in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
May
1,008 records (21.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0% |
| February | 3 | 0.1% |
| March | 30 | 0.6% |
| April | 418 | 8.9% |
| Maypeak | 1,008 | 21.6% |
| Junepeak | 967 | 20.7% |
| Julypeak | 689 | 14.7% |
| August | 596 | 12.8% |
| September | 549 | 11.8% |
| October | 371 | 7.9% |
| November | 37 | 0.8% |
| December | 3 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 2,685 |
| Common Watersnake | 828 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 453 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 209 |
| Common Ribbon Snake | 163 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 139 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 85 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 50 |
In New Hampshire, May carries 21.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 13.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in New Hampshire are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Milksnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Garter Snake2,685 records
- Common Watersnake828 records
- Eastern Milksnake453 records
- Red-bellied Snake209 records
- Common Ribbon Snake163 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake139 records
Plan your snake trip in New Hampshire
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in New Hampshire in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,008 of the 4,672 verified snakes sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 21.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in New Hampshire?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
What month is best for snakes in New Hampshire?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 4,672 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in New Hampshire?+
The most-recorded species in New Hampshire are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Milksnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in New Hampshire in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in New Hampshire