Dragonflies in North Dakota in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in North Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 688 of the 2,205 sightings logged across the year (31.2%), 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 dragonflies in North Dakota
31.2%
of yearly sightings
688
records in July
#1
busiest month of 12
2,205
verified records a year
June 28.8%, July 31.2%, August 22.2%. Busiest month is July at 31.2%.
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 |
In North Dakota, July carries 31.2% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 22.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (28.8%) into July, and it heads toward August (22.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in North Dakota are Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Variable Darner and Twelve-spotted Skimmer. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Cherry-faced Meadowhawk128 records
- Variable Darner106 records
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer102 records
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk101 records
- Common Green Darner97 records
- Variegated Meadowhawk75 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in North Dakota
Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in North Dakota
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 dragonflies in North Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 688 of the 2,205 verified dragonflies sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 31.2% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see dragonflies in North Dakota?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and August.
What month is best for dragonflies in North Dakota?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 2,205 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Variable Darner and Twelve-spotted Skimmer, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in North Dakota in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in North Dakota