Best Time to See Snakes in West Virginia
May, June and July is the best time to see snakes in West Virginia. Based on 5,793 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when snakes 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.
Common Watersnake · David Weisenbeck CC BY
Common Garter Snake · Alina Martin CC BY
Northern Watersnake · Jacob Saucier CC BY
5,793 verified observations of snakes in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
May
1,310 records (22.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 0.1% |
| February | 5 | 0.1% |
| March | 145 | 2.5% |
| April | 644 | 11.1% |
| Maypeak | 1,310 | 22.6% |
| Junepeak | 1,286 | 22.2% |
| Julypeak | 718 | 12.4% |
| August | 655 | 11.3% |
| September | 653 | 11.3% |
| October | 317 | 5.5% |
| November | 45 | 0.8% |
| December | 8 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 1,379 |
| Central Ratsnake | 1,199 |
| Common Watersnake | 690 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 543 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 400 |
| Timber Rattlesnake | 291 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 263 |
| Eastern Copperhead | 233 |
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 snakes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for snakes sit around 51 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" |
| Maybest time | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Julbest time | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Aug | 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 snakes in West Virginia:
Sightings of snakes in West Virginia peak in May, when 1,310 of the year's 5,793 verified observations are logged — about 22.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when snakes are hardest to find — February sees just 5 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 West Virginia are Common Garter Snake, Central Ratsnake and Common Watersnake — 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see snakes in West Virginia?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 5,793 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are snakes hardest to see in West Virginia?+
February is the quietest month for snakes in West Virginia, with only 5 verified records.
Are snakes active year-round in West Virginia?+
Snakes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in West Virginia