Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Utah
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Utah. Based on 1,300 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures 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.
Turkey Vulture · colorful-corvid CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Grant Chovil CC BY
Turkey Vulture · P Holroyd CC BY
1,300 verified observations of turkey vultures in Utah, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Utah
Peak month
April
302 records (23.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 76 | 5.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 302 | 23.2% |
| Maypeak | 243 | 18.7% |
| Junepeak | 203 | 15.6% |
| July | 164 | 12.6% |
| August | 143 | 11% |
| September | 147 | 11.3% |
| October | 20 | 1.5% |
| November | 2 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,300 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Utah
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Utah peak in April, when 302 of the year's 1,300 verified observations are logged — about 23.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in Utah are Turkey Vulture — 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 turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Utah?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,300 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Utah?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Utah, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Utah?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Utah, concentrated around April and May.
More wildlife in Utah