Best Time to See Scorpions in Washington
May, April and June is the best time to see scorpions in Washington. Based on 278 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when scorpions 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 22, 2026.

Western Forest Scorpion · Seth CC BY

Black Hairy Scorpion · Public domain CC0

Southern Devil Scorpion · Alan Rockefeller CC BY
278 verified observations of scorpions in Washington, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When scorpions are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
102 records (36.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.4% |
| March | 16 | 5.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 56 | 20.1% |
| Maypeak | 102 | 36.7% |
| Junepeak | 33 | 11.9% |
| July | 17 | 6.1% |
| August | 18 | 6.5% |
| September | 23 | 8.3% |
| October | 12 | 4.3% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Scorpions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Scorpion | 185 |
| Western Forest Scorpion | 92 |
| Bark Scorpions | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when scorpions are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for scorpions 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.
More on scorpions in Washington:
Sightings of scorpions in Washington peak in May, when 102 of the year's 278 verified observations are logged — about 36.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is January, November and December, when scorpions 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 scorpions you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Northern Scorpion, Western Forest Scorpion and Bark Scorpions — 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 scorpions 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 scorpions in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 278 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are scorpions hardest to see in Washington?+
January is the quietest month for scorpions in Washington, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are scorpions active year-round in Washington?+
Scorpions are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Washington, concentrated around May and April.
More places to see scorpions
More wildlife in Washington