Snakes in Washington in July

Yes, July is a good month to see snakes in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 2,476 of the 18,953 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.

Northwestern Garter Snake photographed in WashingtonCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake photographed in WashingtonCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake photographed in Washington
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Washington

13.1%

of yearly sightings

2,476

records in July

#5

busiest month of 12

18,953

verified records a year

June 17.1%, July 13.1%, August 13.1%. Busiest month is May at 21.9%.

Best months: May, June, April

18,953 verified observations of snakes in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Washington

Peak month

May

4,148 records (21.9% of the year)

Quietest month

December

69 records

MonthObservationsShare
January780.4%
February1080.6%
March9525%
Aprilpeak2,69214.2%
Maypeak4,14821.9%
Junepeak3,24417.1%
July2,47613.1%
August2,49013.1%
September1,6488.7%
October8744.6%
November1740.9%
December690.4%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Northwestern Garter Snake4,823
Common Garter Snake4,046
Northern Alligator Lizard2,366
Gopher Snake1,590
Western Fence Lizard1,401
Western Rattlesnake924
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake910
Northern Rubber Boa474

In Washington, July carries 13.1% of the year's snakes sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (17.1%) into July, and it heads toward August (13.1%) after. The busiest month is May (21.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The snakes most often recorded in Washington are Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake and Northern Alligator Lizard. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Northwestern Garter Snake4,823 records
  • Common Garter Snake4,046 records
  • Northern Alligator Lizard2,366 records
  • Gopher Snake1,590 records
  • Western Fence Lizard1,401 records
  • Western Rattlesnake924 records
Plan your tripEbey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Plan your snake trip in Washington

Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Washington in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 2,476 of the 18,953 verified snakes sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see snakes in Washington?+

July is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for snakes in Washington?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 18,953 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in Washington?+

The most-recorded species in Washington are Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake and Northern Alligator Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.