Best Time to See Rabbits in West Virginia

April, June and May is the best time to see rabbits in West Virginia. Based on 1,040 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when rabbits are most active across the year in West Virginia.

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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 28, 2026.

Appalachian Cottontail photographed in West Virginia

Appalachian Cottontail · Tom Field CC BY

Appalachian Cottontail photographed in West Virginia

Appalachian Cottontail · Tom Field CC BY

Appalachian Cottontail photographed in West Virginia

Appalachian Cottontail · Alaina Krakowiak CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, June, May

1,040 verified observations of rabbits in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When rabbits are recorded in West Virginia

Peak month

April

203 records (19.5% of the year)

Quietest month

November

21 records

MonthObservationsShare
January545.2%
February514.9%
March787.5%
Aprilpeak20319.5%
Maypeak15014.4%
Junepeak19118.4%
July13713.2%
August676.4%
September434.1%
October232.2%
November212%
December222.1%

Rabbits you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Cottontail863
Appalachian Cottontail63
Snowshoe Hare32
European Rabbit11

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 rabbits are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for rabbits sit around 41 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan41°F26°F4.8"
Feb46°F28°F5.5"
Mar54°F34°F4.5"
Aprbest time61°F41°F4.4"
Maybest time69°F51°F6.5"
Junbest time76°F59°F5.3"
Jul81°F65°F5.1"
Aug78°F63°F4.9"
Sep74°F57°F3.5"
Oct64°F48°F4.1"
Nov52°F35°F2.9"
Dec46°F31°F4.9"

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 rabbits in West Virginia:

Sightings of rabbits in West Virginia peak in April, when 203 of the year's 1,040 verified observations are logged — about 19.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, June and May.

The quietest stretch is November, December and October, when rabbits are hardest to find — November sees just 21 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The rabbits you are most likely to encounter in West Virginia are Eastern Cottontail, Appalachian Cottontail and Snowshoe Hare — 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 rabbits in West Virginia

  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Bluestone National Scenic RiverNational Scenic River
  • Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Lewis & Clark National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • New River Gorge National Park & PreserveNational Park & Preserve

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see rabbits in West Virginia?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, June and May, based on 1,040 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are rabbits hardest to see in West Virginia?+

November is the quietest month for rabbits in West Virginia, with only 21 verified records.

Are rabbits active year-round in West Virginia?+

Rabbits are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.