Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in Utah
April, May and June is the best time to see great blue herons in Utah. Based on 2,296 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons 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 20, 2026.
Great Blue Heron · Daughter Dad CC BY
Great Blue Heron · William Harmon CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Isaac Krone CC BY
2,296 verified observations of great blue herons in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in Utah
Peak month
April
400 records (17.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 164 | 7.1% |
| February | 163 | 7.1% |
| March | 201 | 8.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 400 | 17.4% |
| Maypeak | 385 | 16.8% |
| Junepeak | 219 | 9.5% |
| July | 196 | 8.5% |
| August | 139 | 6.1% |
| September | 141 | 6.1% |
| October | 98 | 4.3% |
| November | 88 | 3.8% |
| December | 102 | 4.4% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 2,296 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Utah
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great blue herons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great blue herons sit around 33 to 79 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" |
| Aprbest time | 55°F | 33°F | 1.6" |
| Maybest time | 66°F | 42°F | 1.3" |
| Junbest time | 79°F | 53°F | 0.7" |
| Jul | 89°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Aug | 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.
Sightings of great blue herons in Utah peak in April, when 400 of the year's 2,296 verified observations are logged — about 17.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is November, October and December, when great blue herons are hardest to find — November sees just 88 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great blue herons you are most likely to encounter in Utah are Great Blue Heron — 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 great blue herons 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 great blue herons in Utah?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 2,296 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in Utah?+
November is the quietest month for great blue herons in Utah, with only 88 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in Utah?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Utah, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Utah