Snakes in Oregon in September

Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Oregon. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 2,921 of the 33,837 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.

Red-spotted Garter Snake photographed in OregonCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake photographed in OregonNorthwestern Ringneck Snake photographed in Oregon
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Oregon

8.6%

of yearly sightings

2,921

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

33,837

verified records a year

August 9.8%, September 8.6%, October 4.7%. Busiest month is May at 23.1%.

Best months: May, June, April

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)

Quietest month

December

191 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2770.8%
February5021.5%
March2,2426.6%
Aprilpeak4,32512.8%
Maypeak7,82423.1%
Junepeak6,42619%
July3,83011.3%
August3,3219.8%
September2,9218.6%
October1,5974.7%
November3811.1%
December1910.6%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Western Fence Lizard7,086
Northwestern Garter Snake6,070
Common Garter Snake5,512
Gopher Snake3,440
Northern Alligator Lizard1,295
Western Rattlesnake1,162
Northern Rubber Boa1,100
Southern Alligator Lizard1,083

In Oregon, September carries 8.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 0.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (9.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.7%) after. The busiest month is May (23.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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 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

  • 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 tripCrater Lake National Park

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Oregon in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 2,921 of the 33,837 verified snakes sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see snakes in Oregon?+

September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.