Best Time to See Dragonflies in West Virginia
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in West Virginia. Based on 6,384 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in West Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Black-shouldered Spinyleg · Matthew Gerke CC BY
Superb Jewelwing · Tom Field CC BY
Powdered Dancer · Matthew Gerke CC BY
6,384 verified observations of dragonflies in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
June
2,202 records (34.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 7 | 0.1% |
| March | 14 | 0.2% |
| April | 104 | 1.6% |
| May | 616 | 9.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,202 | 34.5% |
| Julypeak | 1,598 | 25% |
| Augustpeak | 1,234 | 19.3% |
| September | 433 | 6.8% |
| October | 129 | 2% |
| November | 38 | 0.6% |
| December | 7 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 505 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 428 |
| Widow Skimmer | 288 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 233 |
| Powdered Dancer | 205 |
| Variable Dancer | 183 |
| Fragile Forktail | 179 |
| Blue Dasher | 178 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in West Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 59 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| Feb | 46°F | 28°F | 5.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 34°F | 4.5" |
| Apr | 61°F | 41°F | 4.4" |
| May | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Julbest time | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Augbest time | 78°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 74°F | 57°F | 3.5" |
| Oct | 64°F | 48°F | 4.1" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for West Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in West Virginia:
Sightings of dragonflies in West Virginia peak in June, when 2,202 of the year's 6,384 verified observations are logged — about 34.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in West Virginia are Common Whitetail, Ebony Jewelwing and Widow Skimmer — 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 dragonflies in West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in West Virginia?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 6,384 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in West Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in West Virginia, with only 2 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in West Virginia?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in West Virginia