Best Time to See Dragonflies in South Carolina
June, May and April is the best time to see dragonflies in South Carolina. Based on 23,237 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in South Carolina.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Great Blue Skimmer · psweet CC BY-SA
Alabama Shadowdragon · Public domain CC0
Eastern Amberwing · Public domain CC0
23,237 verified observations of dragonflies in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
June
4,717 records (20.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 40 | 0.2% |
| February | 72 | 0.3% |
| March | 1,344 | 5.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,762 | 16.2% |
| Maypeak | 4,284 | 18.4% |
| Junepeak | 4,717 | 20.3% |
| July | 3,393 | 14.6% |
| August | 3,037 | 13.1% |
| September | 1,831 | 7.9% |
| October | 574 | 2.5% |
| November | 156 | 0.7% |
| December | 27 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Pondhawk | 2,522 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,866 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 1,480 |
| Common Whitetail | 1,261 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,124 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 733 |
| Blue Corporal | 670 |
| Fragile Forktail | 559 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Carolina
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 54 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 41°F | 4.6" |
| Feb | 63°F | 44°F | 4" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 54°F | 4.5" |
| Maybest time | 83°F | 63°F | 3.4" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 69°F | 4.2" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 47°F | 2.7" |
| Dec | 60°F | 43°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dragonflies in South Carolina peak in June, when 4,717 of the year's 23,237 verified observations are logged — about 20.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and April.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — December sees just 27 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in South Carolina are Eastern Pondhawk, Blue Dasher and Great Blue Skimmer — 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 dragonflies in South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ninety Six National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Congaree National Park — National Park
- Cowpens National Battlefield — National Battlefield
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in South Carolina?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and April, based on 23,237 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in South Carolina?+
December is the quietest month for dragonflies in South Carolina, with only 27 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in South Carolina?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in South Carolina