Best Time to See Ticks in Oregon
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Oregon. Based on 988 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Oregon.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
988 verified observations of ticks in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
May
297 records (30.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 1% |
| February | 13 | 1.3% |
| March | 67 | 6.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 205 | 20.7% |
| Maypeak | 297 | 30.1% |
| Junepeak | 217 | 22% |
| July | 96 | 9.7% |
| August | 32 | 3.2% |
| September | 10 | 1% |
| October | 16 | 1.6% |
| November | 16 | 1.6% |
| December | 9 | 0.9% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Dog Tick | 220 |
| Western Black-legged Tick | 198 |
| Western Dog Tick | 65 |
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | 60 |
| Pacific Coast Tick | 53 |
| Lone Star Tick | 1 |
| Rabbit Tick | 1 |
| Pigeon Tick | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Oregon
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks sit around 32 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 26°F | 2" |
| Feb | 38°F | 22°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 43°F | 25°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 32°F | 2.2" |
| Maybest time | 61°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Junbest time | 71°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 83°F | 56°F | 0.1" |
| Aug | 81°F | 56°F | 0.4" |
| Sep | 71°F | 47°F | 1.2" |
| Oct | 58°F | 37°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 45°F | 28°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 37°F | 25°F | 2.4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oregon. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of ticks in Oregon peak in May, when 297 of the year's 988 verified observations are logged — about 30.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is December, January and September, when ticks are hardest to find — December sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in Oregon are American Dog Tick, Western Black-legged Tick and Western Dog Tick — 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Oregon?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 988 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Oregon?+
December is the quietest month for ticks in Oregon, with only 9 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in Oregon?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oregon, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Oregon