Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Wyoming
May, June and July is the best time to see great horned owls in Wyoming. Based on 531 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Wyoming.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Harry Podschwit CC BY
Great Horned Owl · jakeschneider00 CC BY-SA
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
531 verified observations of great horned owls in Wyoming, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Wyoming
Peak month
May
109 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 2.3% |
| February | 15 | 2.8% |
| March | 31 | 5.8% |
| April | 26 | 4.9% |
| Maypeak | 109 | 20.5% |
| Junepeak | 83 | 15.6% |
| Julypeak | 74 | 13.9% |
| August | 74 | 13.9% |
| September | 53 | 10% |
| October | 32 | 6% |
| November | 16 | 3% |
| December | 6 | 1.1% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 531 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Wyoming
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 40 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 15°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 25°F | 9°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 35°F | 19°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 45°F | 26°F | 1.9" |
| Maybest time | 60°F | 40°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 52°F | 1.7" |
| Julbest time | 84°F | 60°F | 0.3" |
| Aug | 82°F | 58°F | 0.9" |
| Sep | 72°F | 50°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 51°F | 33°F | 1.9" |
| Nov | 40°F | 24°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 0.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Wyoming. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Wyoming peak in May, when 109 of the year's 531 verified observations are logged — about 20.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is December, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 6 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Wyoming are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Devils Tower National Monument — National Monument
- Fossil Butte National Monument — National Monument
- Grand Teton National Park — National Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Wyoming?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 531 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Wyoming?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Wyoming, with only 6 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Wyoming?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Wyoming, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Wyoming