Best Time to See Coyotes in Washington
May, April and January is the best time to see coyotes in Washington. Based on 3,122 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when coyotes 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.
3,122 verified observations of coyotes in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When coyotes are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
384 records (12.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 271 | 8.7% |
| February | 251 | 8% |
| March | 266 | 8.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 328 | 10.5% |
| Maypeak | 384 | 12.3% |
| June | 269 | 8.6% |
| July | 269 | 8.6% |
| August | 218 | 7% |
| September | 248 | 7.9% |
| October | 237 | 7.6% |
| November | 192 | 6.1% |
| December | 189 | 6.1% |
Coyotes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Coyote | 3,122 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when coyotes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for coyotes sit around 24 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 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 coyotes in Washington:
Sightings of coyotes in Washington peak in May, when 384 of the year's 3,122 verified observations are logged — about 12.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and January.
The quietest stretch is December, November and August, when coyotes are hardest to find — December sees just 189 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The coyotes you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Coyote — 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 coyotes 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see coyotes in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and January, based on 3,122 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are coyotes hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for coyotes in Washington, with only 189 verified records.
Are coyotes active year-round in Washington?+
Coyotes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see coyotes
More wildlife in Washington