Best Time to See Dragonflies in North Dakota
July, June and August is the best time to see dragonflies in North Dakota. Based on 2,205 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer · earl woolsey CC BY
Variegated Meadowhawk · Public domain CC0
Variable Darner · John Rosford CC BY
2,205 verified observations of dragonflies in North Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
July
688 records (31.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 4 | 0.2% |
| May | 72 | 3.3% |
| Junepeak | 635 | 28.8% |
| Julypeak | 688 | 31.2% |
| Augustpeak | 489 | 22.2% |
| September | 297 | 13.5% |
| October | 18 | 0.8% |
| November | 1 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Cherry-faced Meadowhawk | 128 |
| Variable Darner | 106 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 102 |
| Saffron-winged Meadowhawk | 101 |
| Common Green Darner | 97 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 75 |
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 75 |
| Four-spotted Skimmer | 67 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 57 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Apr | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in North Dakota:
Sightings of dragonflies in North Dakota peak in July, when 688 of the year's 2,205 verified observations are logged — about 31.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is February, March and December, when dragonflies are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Variable Darner and Twelve-spotted Skimmer — 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in North Dakota?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 2,205 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in North Dakota?+
February is the quietest month for dragonflies in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are dragonflies active year-round in North Dakota?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 9 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around July and June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in North Dakota