Dragonflies in Oregon in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Oregon. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 4,395 of the 41,214 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Oregon
10.7%
of yearly sightings
4,395
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
41,214
verified records a year
April 2.2%, May 10.7%, June 23.4%. Busiest month is July at 28.4%.
41,214 verified observations of dragonflies in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
July
11,721 records (28.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 0% |
| February | 30 | 0.1% |
| March | 110 | 0.3% |
| April | 891 | 2.2% |
| May | 4,395 | 10.7% |
| Junepeak | 9,657 | 23.4% |
| Julypeak | 11,721 | 28.4% |
| Augustpeak | 8,535 | 20.7% |
| September | 3,973 | 9.6% |
| October | 1,734 | 4.2% |
| November | 137 | 0.3% |
| December | 15 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Pacific Forktail | 2,699 |
| Eight-spotted Skimmer | 2,092 |
| Common Whitetail | 2,062 |
| Striped Meadowhawk | 1,767 |
| Tule Bluet | 1,676 |
| Vivid Dancer | 1,432 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,427 |
| Cardinal Meadowhawk | 1,348 |
In Oregon, May carries 10.7% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (23.4%) after. The busiest month is July (28.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Oregon are Pacific Forktail, Eight-spotted Skimmer and Common Whitetail. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Pacific Forktail2,699 records
- Eight-spotted Skimmer2,092 records
- Common Whitetail2,062 records
- Striped Meadowhawk1,767 records
- Tule Bluet1,676 records
- Vivid Dancer1,432 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Oregon
Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Oregon.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Oregon
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 Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,395 of the 41,214 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Oregon?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in Oregon?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 41,214 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Pacific Forktail, Eight-spotted Skimmer and Common Whitetail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Oregon in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Oregon