Snakes in Washington in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Washington. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 4,148 of the 18,953 sightings logged across the year (21.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Washington
21.9%
of yearly sightings
4,148
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
18,953
verified records a year
April 14.2%, May 21.9%, June 17.1%. Busiest month is May at 21.9%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 78 | 0.4% |
| February | 108 | 0.6% |
| March | 952 | 5% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,692 | 14.2% |
| Maypeak | 4,148 | 21.9% |
| Junepeak | 3,244 | 17.1% |
| July | 2,476 | 13.1% |
| August | 2,490 | 13.1% |
| September | 1,648 | 8.7% |
| October | 874 | 4.6% |
| November | 174 | 0.9% |
| December | 69 | 0.4% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northwestern Garter Snake | 4,823 |
| Common Garter Snake | 4,046 |
| Northern Alligator Lizard | 2,366 |
| Gopher Snake | 1,590 |
| Western Fence Lizard | 1,401 |
| Western Rattlesnake | 924 |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 910 |
| Northern Rubber Boa | 474 |
In Washington, May carries 21.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 13.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (14.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a snake tour in Washington
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,148 of the 18,953 verified snakes sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 21.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Washington?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
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.
See snakes in Washington in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Washington