Snakes in North Dakota in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in North Dakota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 109 of the 919 sightings logged across the year (11.9%), 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.
Good month for snakes in North Dakota
11.9%
of yearly sightings
109
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
919
verified records a year
August 14.8%, September 11.9%, October 2.5%. Busiest month is June at 27%.
919 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
248 records (27% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 0.4% |
| April | 22 | 2.4% |
| Maypeak | 162 | 17.6% |
| Junepeak | 248 | 27% |
| Julypeak | 212 | 23.1% |
| August | 136 | 14.8% |
| September | 109 | 11.9% |
| October | 23 | 2.5% |
| November | 3 | 0.3% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Plains Garter Snake | 219 |
| Gopher Snake | 199 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 95 |
| North American Racer | 77 |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard | 76 |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | 75 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 67 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 39 |
In North Dakota, September carries 11.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 3.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (14.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.5%) after. The busiest month is June (27%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The snakes most often recorded in North Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Plains Garter Snake219 records
- Gopher Snake199 records
- Prairie Rattlesnake95 records
- North American Racer77 records
- Greater Short-horned Lizard76 records
- Common Sagebrush Lizard75 records
Plan your snake 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.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in North Dakota in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 109 of the 919 verified snakes sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 11.9% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in North Dakota?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for snakes in North Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 919 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in North Dakota in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in North Dakota