Best Time to See Squirrels in West Virginia

April, May and June is the best time to see squirrels in West Virginia. Based on 3,015 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.

Groundhog photographed in West Virginia

Groundhog · sarah caitlin williams CC BY

Eastern Chipmunk photographed in West Virginia

Eastern Chipmunk · Clay Gibbons CC BY

Eastern Fox Squirrel photographed in West Virginia

Eastern Fox Squirrel · Matthew Gerke CC BY

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

3,015 verified observations of squirrels in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When squirrels are recorded in West Virginia

Peak month

April

526 records (17.4% of the year)

Quietest month

December

83 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1033.4%
February1494.9%
March34211.3%
Aprilpeak52617.4%
Maypeak37212.3%
Junepeak36712.2%
July1795.9%
August1856.1%
September2588.6%
October2959.8%
November1565.2%
December832.8%

Squirrels you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel1,109
Groundhog675
Eastern Chipmunk595
Eastern Fox Squirrel310
American Red Squirrel194
Southern Flying Squirrel61
Northern Flying Squirrel2

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 squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels 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 squirrels in West Virginia:

Sightings of squirrels in West Virginia peak in April, when 526 of the year's 3,015 verified observations are logged — about 17.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.

The quietest stretch is December and January, when squirrels are hardest to find — December sees just 83 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in West Virginia are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Groundhog and Eastern Chipmunk — 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 squirrels 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

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

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

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 3,015 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are squirrels hardest to see in West Virginia?+

December is the quietest month for squirrels in West Virginia, with only 83 verified records.

Are squirrels active year-round in West Virginia?+

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