Best Time to See Dragonflies in Utah

July, June and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Utah. Based on 9,126 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Utah.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Vivid Dancer photographed in Utah

Vivid Dancer · Hailey Freeman CC BY-SA

Riffle Darner photographed in Utah

Riffle Darner · Paul Bedell CC BY-SA

Vivid Dancer photographed in Utah

Vivid Dancer · Hailey Freeman CC BY-SA

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: July, June, AugustPeak season right now

9,126 verified observations of dragonflies in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When dragonflies are recorded in Utah

Peak month

July

2,682 records (29.4% of the year)

Quietest month

February

3 records

MonthObservationsShare
January60.1%
February30%
March200.2%
April2362.6%
May7668.4%
Junepeak2,17923.9%
Julypeak2,68229.4%
Augustpeak1,71818.8%
September1,01311.1%
October4054.4%
November810.9%
December170.2%

Dragonflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Variegated Meadowhawk739
Vivid Dancer621
Flame Skimmer450
Band-winged Meadowhawk421
Blue-eyed Darner411
Eight-spotted Skimmer404
Twelve-spotted Skimmer373
Great Spreadwing244

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Utah

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 53 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan33°F19°F1.5"
Feb35°F20°F1.5"
Mar43°F27°F2.8"
Apr55°F33°F1.6"
May66°F42°F1.3"
Junbest time79°F53°F0.7"
Julbest time89°F62°F0.3"
Augbest time87°F61°F0.3"
Sep78°F52°F0.6"
Oct62°F38°F1.1"
Nov48°F28°F1.3"
Dec36°F20°F2.6"

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

More on dragonflies in Utah:

Sightings of dragonflies in Utah peak in July, when 2,682 of the year's 9,126 verified observations are logged — about 29.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.

The quietest stretch is February, when dragonflies are hardest to find — February sees just 3 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 Utah are Variegated Meadowhawk, Vivid Dancer and Flame 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 Utah

  • Bryce Canyon National ParkNational Park
  • Capitol Reef National ParkNational Park
  • Cedar Breaks National MonumentNational Monument
  • Dinosaur National MonumentNational Monument
  • Zion National ParkNational Park
  • Arches National ParkNational Park

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see dragonflies in Utah?+

July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 9,126 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are dragonflies hardest to see in Utah?+

February is the quietest month for dragonflies in Utah, with only 3 verified records.

Are dragonflies active year-round in Utah?+

Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Utah, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.