Snakes in West Virginia in April
Yes, April is a good month to see snakes in West Virginia. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 773 of the 6,720 sightings logged across the year (11.5%), 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 28, 2026.
Good month for snakes in West Virginia
11.5%
of yearly sightings
773
records in April
#5
busiest month of 12
6,720
verified records a year
March 2.5%, April 11.5%, May 23%. Busiest month is May at 23%.
6,720 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
1,544 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0.1% |
| February | 7 | 0.1% |
| March | 170 | 2.5% |
| April | 773 | 11.5% |
| Maypeak | 1,544 | 23% |
| Junepeak | 1,432 | 21.3% |
| July | 798 | 11.9% |
| Augustpeak | 814 | 12.1% |
| September | 767 | 11.4% |
| October | 342 | 5.1% |
| November | 52 | 0.8% |
| December | 12 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 1,358 |
| Gray Ratsnake | 982 |
| Common Watersnake | 678 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 537 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 492 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 413 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 396 |
| Timber Rattlesnake | 281 |
In West Virginia, April carries 11.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 3.2 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 rising from March (2.5%) into April, and it heads toward May (23%) after. The busiest month is May (23%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The snakes most often recorded in West Virginia are Common Garter Snake, Gray Ratsnake and Common Watersnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Garter Snake1,358 records
- Gray Ratsnake982 records
- Common Watersnake678 records
- Ring-necked Snake537 records
- Common Five-lined Skink492 records
- Eastern Fence Lizard413 records
Plan your snake trip in West Virginia
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in West Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a snake tour in West Virginia
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 West Virginia in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 773 of the 6,720 verified snakes sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 11.5% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see snakes in West Virginia?+
April 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 West Virginia?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and August, based on 6,720 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Common Garter Snake, Gray Ratsnake and Common Watersnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in West Virginia in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in West Virginia