Best Time to See Hawks in Utah
January, February and April is the best time to see hawks in Utah. Based on 10,209 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks 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 June 28, 2026.
Cooper's Hawk · Daughter Dad CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Isaac Krone CC BY
Northern Harrier · Daughter Dad CC BY
10,209 verified observations of hawks in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Utah
Peak month
January
1,193 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,193 | 11.7% |
| Februarypeak | 1,165 | 11.4% |
| March | 957 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,134 | 11.1% |
| May | 897 | 8.8% |
| June | 598 | 5.9% |
| July | 761 | 7.5% |
| August | 679 | 6.7% |
| September | 661 | 6.5% |
| October | 559 | 5.5% |
| November | 705 | 6.9% |
| December | 900 | 8.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,091 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,992 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,277 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,275 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 848 |
| Golden Eagle | 571 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 337 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 265 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Utah
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks sit around 19 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 33°F | 19°F | 1.5" |
| Febbest time | 35°F | 20°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 43°F | 27°F | 2.8" |
| Aprbest time | 55°F | 33°F | 1.6" |
| May | 66°F | 42°F | 1.3" |
| Jun | 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 hawks in Utah peak in January, when 1,193 of the year's 10,209 verified observations are logged — about 11.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and April.
The quietest stretch is October, June and September, when hawks are hardest to find — October sees just 559 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hawks you are most likely to encounter in Utah are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle — 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 hawks 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Utah?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and April, based on 10,209 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Utah?+
October is the quietest month for hawks in Utah, with only 559 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Utah?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Utah, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.