Best Time to See Ticks in New Mexico
June, May and July is the best time to see ticks in New Mexico. Based on 86 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks 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 July 22, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
86 verified observations of ticks in New Mexico, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
June
17 records (19.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 2.3% |
| March | 9 | 10.5% |
| April | 14 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 16 | 18.6% |
| Junepeak | 17 | 19.8% |
| Julypeak | 15 | 17.4% |
| August | 7 | 8.1% |
| September | 3 | 3.5% |
| October | 1 | 1.2% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 2 | 2.3% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | 14 |
| American Dog Tick | 10 |
| Brown Dog Tick | 7 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 2 |
| Fowl Tick | 2 |
| Western Dog Tick | 1 |
| Alectorobius kelleyi | 1 |
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 ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks 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.
Sightings of ticks in New Mexico peak in June, when 17 of the year's 86 verified observations are logged — about 19.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is January, November and October, when ticks are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in New Mexico are Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, American Dog Tick and Brown Dog Tick — 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 ticks 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in New Mexico?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 86 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in New Mexico?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in New Mexico, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are ticks active year-round in New Mexico?+
Ticks are recorded in 10 of 12 months in New Mexico, concentrated around June and May.
More wildlife in New Mexico