Best Time to See Bobcats in Pennsylvania

January, December and April is the best time to see bobcats in Pennsylvania. Based on 239 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bobcats are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.

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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 28, 2026.

Bobcat photographed in Pennsylvania

Bobcat · Brian Henderson CC BY

Eastern Bobcat photographed in Pennsylvania

Eastern Bobcat · Matt Schenck CC BY

Bobcat photographed in Pennsylvania

Bobcat · lengthofcordage CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: January, December, April

239 verified observations of bobcats in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bobcats are recorded in Pennsylvania

Peak month

January

34 records (14.2% of the year)

Quietest month

July

10 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak3414.2%
February197.9%
March208.4%
Aprilpeak2510.5%
May187.5%
June156.3%
July104.2%
August125%
September208.4%
October177.1%
November208.4%
Decemberpeak2912.1%

Bobcats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bobcat239

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Pennsylvania

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bobcats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bobcats sit around 23 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time38°F23°F3.1"
Feb41°F23°F3.6"
Mar50°F31°F3.3"
Aprbest time60°F40°F4.1"
May70°F49°F4.1"
Jun79°F59°F3.9"
Jul86°F65°F3.2"
Aug84°F64°F4.3"
Sep75°F57°F3.9"
Oct64°F47°F4"
Nov51°F35°F2.4"
Decbest time43°F29°F4.3"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on bobcats in Pennsylvania:

Sightings of bobcats in Pennsylvania peak in January, when 34 of the year's 239 verified observations are logged — about 14.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and April.

The quietest stretch is July, August and June, when bobcats are hardest to find — July sees just 10 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The bobcats you are most likely to encounter in Pennsylvania are Bobcat — 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 bobcats in Pennsylvania

  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Fort Necessity National BattlefieldNational Battlefield
  • Friendship Hill National Historic SiteNational Historic Site

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bobcats in Pennsylvania?+

January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and April, based on 239 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bobcats hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+

July is the quietest month for bobcats in Pennsylvania, with only 10 verified records.

Are bobcats active year-round in Pennsylvania?+

Bobcats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.