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.
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 · Hailey Freeman CC BY-SA
Riffle Darner · Paul Bedell CC BY-SA

Vivid Dancer · Hailey Freeman CC BY-SA
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 0.1% |
| February | 3 | 0% |
| March | 20 | 0.2% |
| April | 236 | 2.6% |
| May | 766 | 8.4% |
| Junepeak | 2,179 | 23.9% |
| Julypeak | 2,682 | 29.4% |
| Augustpeak | 1,718 | 18.8% |
| September | 1,013 | 11.1% |
| October | 405 | 4.4% |
| November | 81 | 0.9% |
| December | 17 | 0.2% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 739 |
| Vivid Dancer | 621 |
| Flame Skimmer | 450 |
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 421 |
| Blue-eyed Darner | 411 |
| Eight-spotted Skimmer | 404 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 373 |
| Great Spreadwing | 244 |
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.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 19°F | 1.5" |
| Feb | 35°F | 20°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 43°F | 27°F | 2.8" |
| Apr | 55°F | 33°F | 1.6" |
| May | 66°F | 42°F | 1.3" |
| Junbest time | 79°F | 53°F | 0.7" |
| Julbest time | 89°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Augbest time | 87°F | 61°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Oct | 62°F | 38°F | 1.1" |
| Nov | 48°F | 28°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 20°F | 2.6" |
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 Park — National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park — National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument — National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Zion National Park — National Park
- Arches National Park — National 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.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Utah