Best Time to See Squirrels in New Mexico
July, June and May is the best time to see squirrels in New Mexico. Based on 9,445 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels are most active across the year in New Mexico.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Abert's Squirrel · nmoorhatch CC BY
Abert's Squirrel · Tom Kennedy CC BY
Gunnison's Prairie Dog · Loren Cassin Sackett CC BY
9,445 verified observations of squirrels in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
July
1,469 records (15.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 186 | 2% |
| February | 204 | 2.2% |
| March | 555 | 5.9% |
| April | 1,134 | 12% |
| Maypeak | 1,322 | 14% |
| Junepeak | 1,462 | 15.5% |
| Julypeak | 1,469 | 15.6% |
| August | 1,135 | 12% |
| September | 886 | 9.4% |
| October | 568 | 6% |
| November | 269 | 2.8% |
| December | 255 | 2.7% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Rock Squirrel | 2,171 |
| Gunnison's Prairie Dog | 1,799 |
| Abert's Squirrel | 1,042 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 791 |
| Fremont's Squirrel | 609 |
| Colorado Chipmunk | 420 |
| Gray-footed Chipmunk | 274 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 257 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels sit around 51 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Apr | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| Maybest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on squirrels in New Mexico:
Sightings of squirrels in New Mexico peak in July, when 1,469 of the year's 9,445 verified observations are logged — about 15.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when squirrels are hardest to find — January sees just 186 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in New Mexico are Rock Squirrel, Gunnison's Prairie Dog and Abert's Squirrel — 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 squirrels in New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see squirrels in New Mexico?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and May, based on 9,445 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in New Mexico?+
January is the quietest month for squirrels in New Mexico, with only 186 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in New Mexico?+
Squirrels are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see squirrels
More wildlife in New Mexico