Best Time to See Raccoons in Washington
June, July and May is the best time to see raccoons in Washington. Based on 3,811 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when raccoons 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 2, 2026.
Common Raccoon · Peter Abrahamsen CC BY
Common Raccoon · Kristiina Hurme CC BY
Common Raccoon · Public domain CC0
3,811 verified observations of raccoons in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in Washington
Peak month
June
512 records (13.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 251 | 6.6% |
| February | 264 | 6.9% |
| March | 234 | 6.1% |
| April | 378 | 9.9% |
| Maypeak | 409 | 10.7% |
| Junepeak | 512 | 13.4% |
| Julypeak | 441 | 11.6% |
| August | 273 | 7.2% |
| September | 257 | 6.7% |
| October | 344 | 9% |
| November | 227 | 6% |
| December | 221 | 5.8% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 3,811 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when raccoons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for raccoons sit around 44 to 86 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" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 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 raccoons in Washington:
Sightings of raccoons in Washington peak in June, when 512 of the year's 3,811 verified observations are logged — about 13.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is December, November and March, when raccoons are hardest to find — December sees just 221 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The raccoons you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Common Raccoon — 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 raccoons 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 raccoons in Washington?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 3,811 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are raccoons hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for raccoons in Washington, with only 221 verified records.
Are raccoons active year-round in Washington?+
Raccoons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see raccoons
More wildlife in Washington