Best Time to See Bobcats in Washington
March, April and June is the best time to see bobcats in Washington. Based on 637 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bobcats are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
637 verified observations of bobcats in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bobcats are recorded in Washington
Peak month
March
69 records (10.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 42 | 6.6% |
| February | 56 | 8.8% |
| Marchpeak | 69 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 61 | 9.6% |
| May | 57 | 8.9% |
| Junepeak | 60 | 9.4% |
| July | 34 | 5.3% |
| August | 51 | 8% |
| September | 54 | 8.5% |
| October | 53 | 8.3% |
| November | 54 | 8.5% |
| December | 46 | 7.2% |
Bobcats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | 637 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bobcats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bobcats sit around 28 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bobcats in Washington:
Sightings of bobcats in Washington peak in March, when 69 of the year's 637 verified observations are logged — about 10.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and June.
The quietest stretch is July, January and December, when bobcats are hardest to find — July sees just 34 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bobcats you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Bobcat — 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 bobcats in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bobcats in Washington?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and June, based on 637 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bobcats hardest to see in Washington?+
July is the quietest month for bobcats in Washington, with only 34 verified records.
Are bobcats active year-round in Washington?+
Bobcats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see bobcats
More wildlife in Washington