Best Time to See Dragonflies in New Jersey
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in New Jersey. Based on 68,124 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in New Jersey.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Eastern Amberwing · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
Eastern Amberwing · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
Autumn Meadowhawk · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
68,124 verified observations of dragonflies in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
June
16,357 records (24% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0% |
| February | 24 | 0% |
| March | 72 | 0.1% |
| April | 2,095 | 3.1% |
| May | 8,438 | 12.4% |
| Junepeak | 16,357 | 24% |
| Julypeak | 15,571 | 22.9% |
| Augustpeak | 13,733 | 20.2% |
| September | 8,281 | 12.2% |
| October | 2,906 | 4.3% |
| November | 553 | 0.8% |
| December | 85 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Dasher | 5,311 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 5,024 |
| Common Whitetail | 3,802 |
| Fragile Forktail | 3,730 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,509 |
| Blue Corporal | 1,861 |
| Halloween Pennant | 1,785 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,726 |
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 dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 63 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Apr | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| May | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Julbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Augbest time | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
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.
More on dragonflies in New Jersey:
Sightings of dragonflies in New Jersey peak in June, when 16,357 of the year's 68,124 verified observations are logged — about 24% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in New Jersey are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Common Whitetail — 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 dragonflies in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in New Jersey?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 68,124 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in New Jersey?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in New Jersey, with only 9 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in New Jersey?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in New Jersey