Best Time to See Wolf Spiders in North Dakota
June, May and April is the best time to see wolf spiders in North Dakota. Based on 204 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when wolf spiders 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 July 22, 2026.
Wetland Giant Wolf Spider · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Trochosa sepulchralis · Timothy Lindsey CC BY
Trabeops aurantiacus · Public domain CC0
204 verified observations of wolf spiders in North Dakota, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When wolf spiders are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
62 records (30.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 5 | 2.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 27 | 13.2% |
| Maypeak | 40 | 19.6% |
| Junepeak | 62 | 30.4% |
| July | 24 | 11.8% |
| August | 14 | 6.9% |
| September | 17 | 8.3% |
| October | 11 | 5.4% |
| November | 3 | 1.5% |
| December | 1 | 0.5% |
Wolf Spiders you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| McCook's Split Wolf Spider | 14 |
| Redlined Wolf Spider | 10 |
| Forest Wolf Spider | 8 |
| Pirate Otter Spider | 6 |
| Emerton's Wolf Spider | 5 |
| Shoreline Wolf Spider | 4 |
| Spinyrib Wolf Spider | 4 |
| Ground wolf spider | 3 |
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 wolf spiders are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for wolf spiders sit around 28 to 77 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" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 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.
Sightings of wolf spiders in North Dakota peak in June, when 62 of the year's 204 verified observations are logged — about 30.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and April.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when wolf spiders 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 wolf spiders you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are McCook's Split Wolf Spider, Redlined Wolf Spider and Forest Wolf Spider — 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 wolf spiders 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 wolf spiders in North Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and April, based on 204 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are wolf spiders hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for wolf spiders in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are wolf spiders active year-round in North Dakota?+
Wolf spiders are recorded in 10 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around June and May.
More wildlife in North Dakota