Best Time to See Snakes in Washington
May, June and July is the best time to see snakes in Washington. Based on 14,402 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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 30, 2026.
Northern Rubber Boa · Kurt Miller CC BY-SA
Wandering Garter Snake · Public domain CC0
Northern Rubber Boa · evangrimes CC BY
14,402 verified observations of snakes in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
2,963 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 52 | 0.4% |
| February | 84 | 0.6% |
| March | 679 | 4.7% |
| April | 1,886 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 2,963 | 20.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,609 | 18.1% |
| Julypeak | 2,109 | 14.6% |
| August | 1,803 | 12.5% |
| September | 1,257 | 8.7% |
| October | 743 | 5.2% |
| November | 157 | 1.1% |
| December | 60 | 0.4% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northwestern Garter Snake | 4,938 |
| Common Garter Snake | 4,125 |
| Gopher Snake | 1,622 |
| Western Rattlesnake | 939 |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 938 |
| Northern Rubber Boa | 484 |
| North American Racer | 462 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 42 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes 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 snakes in Washington:
Sightings of snakes in Washington peak in May, when 2,963 of the year's 14,402 verified observations are logged — about 20.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when snakes are hardest to find — January sees just 52 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The snakes you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake and Gopher Snake — 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 snakes 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 snakes in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 14,402 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in Washington?+
January is the quietest month for snakes in Washington, with only 52 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in Washington?+
Snakes 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 snakes
More wildlife in Washington