Mountain Lions in New Mexico in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see mountain lions in New Mexico. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 25 of the 232 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), 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 mountain lions in New Mexico
10.8%
of yearly sightings
25
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
232
verified records a year
April 8.6%, May 10.8%, June 9.9%. Busiest month is January at 12.9%.
232 verified observations of mountain lions in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain lions are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
January
30 records (12.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 30 | 12.9% |
| February | 10 | 4.3% |
| Marchpeak | 30 | 12.9% |
| April | 20 | 8.6% |
| Maypeak | 25 | 10.8% |
| June | 23 | 9.9% |
| July | 11 | 4.7% |
| August | 14 | 6% |
| September | 18 | 7.8% |
| October | 21 | 9.1% |
| November | 20 | 8.6% |
| December | 10 | 4.3% |
Mountain Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Lion | 232 |
In New Mexico, May carries 10.8% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 2.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The mountain lions most often recorded in New Mexico are Mountain Lion. 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 mountain lions you are most likely to see
- Mountain Lion232 records
Plan your mountain lion trip in New Mexico
Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bandelier National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main mountain lion viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bandelier National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best mountain lion viewing area in New Mexico.
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Broader backupBook a mountain lion tour in New Mexico
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see mountain lions in New Mexico in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 25 of the 232 verified mountain lions sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see mountain lions in New Mexico?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, March and May.
What month is best for mountain lions in New Mexico?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and May, based on 232 verified observations.
Which mountain lions are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+
The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Mountain Lion, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See mountain lions in New Mexico in other months
More wildlife in New Mexico