Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Utah
May, April and June is the best time to see great horned owls in Utah. Based on 1,351 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls 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 Horned Owl · Rolf Lawrenz CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Daughter Dad CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Daughter Dad CC BY
1,351 verified observations of great horned owls in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Utah
Peak month
May
231 records (17.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 85 | 6.3% |
| February | 91 | 6.7% |
| March | 114 | 8.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 196 | 14.5% |
| Maypeak | 231 | 17.1% |
| Junepeak | 134 | 9.9% |
| July | 106 | 7.8% |
| August | 96 | 7.1% |
| September | 93 | 6.9% |
| October | 87 | 6.4% |
| November | 65 | 4.8% |
| December | 53 | 3.9% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,351 |
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 horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls 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 horned owls in Utah peak in May, when 231 of the year's 1,351 verified observations are logged — about 17.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 53 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Utah are Great Horned Owl — 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 horned owls 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 horned owls in Utah?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,351 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Utah?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Utah, with only 53 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Utah?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Utah, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Utah