Best Time to See Snakes in North Dakota
June, July and May is the best time to see snakes in North Dakota. Based on 776 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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.
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer · tlaloc27 CC BY
Red-sided Garter Snake · John Rosford CC BY
Plains Garter Snake · Jason Hill CC BY
776 verified observations of snakes in North Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
212 records (27.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 0.5% |
| April | 18 | 2.3% |
| Maypeak | 142 | 18.3% |
| Junepeak | 212 | 27.3% |
| Julypeak | 178 | 22.9% |
| August | 103 | 13.3% |
| September | 93 | 12% |
| October | 23 | 3% |
| November | 3 | 0.4% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Plains Garter Snake | 223 |
| Gopher Snake | 202 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 97 |
| North American Racer | 78 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 69 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 39 |
| Plains Hognose Snake | 36 |
| Common Garter Snake | 20 |
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 snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes sit around 43 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" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 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 snakes in North Dakota:
Sightings of snakes in North Dakota peak in June, when 212 of the year's 776 verified observations are logged — about 27.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when snakes 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 snakes you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake — 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 snakes 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see snakes in North Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 776 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for snakes in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are snakes active year-round in North Dakota?+
Snakes are recorded in 9 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around June and July.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in North Dakota