Best Time to See Black Widows in New Jersey

September, May and June is the best time to see black widows in New Jersey. Based on 687 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in New Jersey.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.

Northern Black Widow photographed in New Jersey

Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in New Jersey

Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY

Western Black Widow photographed in New Jersey

Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: September, May, June

687 verified observations of black widows in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When black widows are recorded in New Jersey

Peak month

September

119 records (17.3% of the year)

Quietest month

January

3 records

MonthObservationsShare
January30.4%
February30.4%
March152.2%
April365.2%
Maypeak10415.1%
Junepeak9914.4%
July8512.4%
August9313.5%
Septemberpeak11917.3%
October9213.4%
November314.5%
December71%

Black Widows you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Southern Black Widow328
Northern Black Widow262
Brown Widow4

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in New Jersey

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 53 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan43°F28°F3.4"
Feb45°F29°F3.5"
Mar54°F35°F4.3"
Apr63°F44°F4.6"
Maybest time72°F53°F4.1"
Junbest time82°F63°F4.1"
Jul88°F70°F5.2"
Aug85°F69°F4.3"
Sepbest time78°F61°F4.4"
Oct68°F52°F4.7"
Nov55°F39°F3"
Dec46°F32°F4.6"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of black widows in New Jersey peak in September, when 119 of the year's 687 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, May and June.

The quietest stretch is January and February, when black widows are hardest to find — January sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The black widows you are most likely to encounter in New Jersey are Southern Black Widow, Northern Black Widow and Brown Widow — 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 black widows in New Jersey

  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Great Egg Harbor River
  • Morristown National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National MonumentPart of Statue of Liberty National Monument
  • Gateway National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see black widows in New Jersey?+

September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, May and June, based on 687 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are black widows hardest to see in New Jersey?+

January is the quietest month for black widows in New Jersey, with only 3 verified records.

Are black widows active year-round in New Jersey?+

Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.