Best Time to See Mountain Lions in Utah
May, December and April is the best time to see mountain lions in Utah. Based on 199 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mountain lions 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.
199 verified observations of mountain lions in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain lions are recorded in Utah
Peak month
May
26 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 8% |
| February | 19 | 9.5% |
| March | 20 | 10.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 21 | 10.6% |
| Maypeak | 26 | 13.1% |
| June | 13 | 6.5% |
| July | 11 | 5.5% |
| August | 15 | 7.5% |
| September | 16 | 8% |
| October | 11 | 5.5% |
| November | 9 | 4.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 22 | 11.1% |
Mountain Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Lion | 199 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Utah
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mountain lions are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mountain lions sit around 20 to 66 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" |
| 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" |
| Decbest time | 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 mountain lions in Utah peak in May, when 26 of the year's 199 verified observations are logged — about 13.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, December and April.
The quietest stretch is November, July and October, when mountain lions are hardest to find — November sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mountain lions you are most likely to encounter in Utah are Mountain Lion — 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 mountain lions 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 mountain lions in Utah?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, December and April, based on 199 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mountain lions hardest to see in Utah?+
November is the quietest month for mountain lions in Utah, with only 9 verified records.
Are mountain lions active year-round in Utah?+
Mountain lions are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Utah, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see mountain lions
More wildlife in Utah