Snakes in Oregon in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Oregon. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 7,824 of the 33,837 sightings logged across the year (23.1%), 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 30, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Oregon
23.1%
of yearly sightings
7,824
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
33,837
verified records a year
April 12.8%, May 23.1%, June 19%. Busiest month is May at 23.1%.
33,837 verified observations of snakes in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
May
7,824 records (23.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 277 | 0.8% |
| February | 502 | 1.5% |
| March | 2,242 | 6.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,325 | 12.8% |
| Maypeak | 7,824 | 23.1% |
| Junepeak | 6,426 | 19% |
| July | 3,830 | 11.3% |
| August | 3,321 | 9.8% |
| September | 2,921 | 8.6% |
| October | 1,597 | 4.7% |
| November | 381 | 1.1% |
| December | 191 | 0.6% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Fence Lizard | 7,086 |
| Northwestern Garter Snake | 6,070 |
| Common Garter Snake | 5,512 |
| Gopher Snake | 3,440 |
| Northern Alligator Lizard | 1,295 |
| Western Rattlesnake | 1,162 |
| Northern Rubber Boa | 1,100 |
| Southern Alligator Lizard | 1,083 |
In Oregon, May carries 23.1% of the year's snakes sightings, about 14.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (12.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (19%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Oregon are Western Fence Lizard, Northwestern Garter Snake and Common Garter Snake. 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 snakes you are most likely to see
- Western Fence Lizard7,086 records
- Northwestern Garter Snake6,070 records
- Common Garter Snake5,512 records
- Gopher Snake3,440 records
- Northern Alligator Lizard1,295 records
- Western Rattlesnake1,162 records
Plan your snake 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 snake viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in Oregon
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 7,824 of the 33,837 verified snakes sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 23.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Oregon?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for snakes in Oregon?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 33,837 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Western Fence Lizard, Northwestern Garter Snake and Common Garter Snake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Oregon in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Oregon