Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Washington
May, April and June is the best time to see great horned owls in Washington. Based on 1,950 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls 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 July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · jjfeiler CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · John Brew CC BY
1,950 verified observations of great horned owls in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
304 records (15.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 102 | 5.2% |
| February | 102 | 5.2% |
| March | 202 | 10.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 235 | 12.1% |
| Maypeak | 304 | 15.6% |
| Junepeak | 217 | 11.1% |
| July | 206 | 10.6% |
| August | 167 | 8.6% |
| September | 163 | 8.4% |
| October | 109 | 5.6% |
| November | 73 | 3.7% |
| December | 70 | 3.6% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,950 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 33 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" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 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.
Sightings of great horned owls in Washington peak in May, when 304 of the year's 1,950 verified observations are logged — about 15.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December, November and January, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 70 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls 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 great horned owls in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,950 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Washington, with only 70 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Washington?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Washington