When are rattlesnakes most active in Arizona?

Rattlesnakes are most active in spring and fall, when daytime temperatures are mild. In the heat of summer they shift to dusk, night and early morning to stay out of the sun, and in winter they mostly stay underground. Around Scottsdale, expect the most sightings from March through May and again in September and October.

What should I do if I see a rattlesnake on a trail?

Stop, stay calm and back away slowly to give the snake at least several feet of room, more if you can. Don't try to move it, photograph it up close or throw anything at it. Most rattlesnakes would rather leave than fight, and they will usually move on once they feel safe. Then walk or ride around it with plenty of space.

Are rattlesnakes aggressive?

No. Rattlesnakes are defensive animals. A rattle is a warning that you are too close, not an invitation to fight. Most bites happen when someone tries to handle or kill a snake, or steps or reaches somewhere they can't see.

What do I do if a rattlesnake bites someone?

Call 911 right away, keep the person calm and still, and get them to a hospital as quickly as possible. Remove rings and tight clothing near the bite in case of swelling. Don't cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice or use a tourniquet.

Do you see rattlesnakes on a Scottsdale ATV tour?

It's uncommon. Snakes are shy and tend to avoid the noise and vibration of vehicles. Tours run on established trails, guides know the terrain, and a sighting from the buggy is always at a safe distance. If one is spotted, the guide keeps the group moving past it.

Rattlesnakes in Arizona: Seasons & Safety Tips

Name: Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
Address: 17212 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268, US
Telephone: (480) 837-3966
Price range: $$

Rattlesnakes live all over the Arizona desert, and they are most active in spring and fall. You are very unlikely to be bitten if you stay on the trail, watch where you put your hands and feet, and give any snake you meet plenty of room. Here’s what to know before you hike or ride.

Which rattlesnakes live near Scottsdale?

Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and a few of them are common in the Sonoran Desert around Scottsdale and the Tonto National Forest. The Western diamondback is the big one you’ll hear about most. The black-tailed rattlesnake and the speckled rattlesnake also turn up in the right habitat, which is rocky hillsides, washes, and brush at the base of saguaros.

You don’t need to memorize species. The rules for staying safe are the same for all of them.

When are rattlesnakes active?

Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded, so the temperature runs their schedule.

Season	What to expect
Spring (March to May)	Peak activity. Snakes come out of winter shelter to warm up and hunt, often on trails and roads.
Summer (June to August)	Mostly dusk, night and very early morning. Midday ground temperatures are too hot for them.
Fall (September to October)	A second active window as temperatures drop. Snakes may sun on warm pavement and dirt.
Winter (November to February)	Mostly underground. A warm afternoon can still bring one out.

If you are hiking in the evening, bring a flashlight and watch the ground in front of you. For more on how the seasons change the desert, see our guide to the best times of year to book an Arizona desert tour.

How to avoid a rattlesnake encounter

Most encounters are avoidable with a few habits:

Stay on the trail. Snakes rest in brush, under rocks and in the shade of bushes. Walking off-trail is how people surprise them.
Look before you step or reach. Never put your hands or feet where you can’t see, including ledges, rock piles and woodpiles.
Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants if you will be in brush. Our what to wear on an Arizona ATV tour guide covers the full outfit.
Use a light after dark. Many bites happen at night on a path someone thought was clear.
Keep dogs leashed. Dogs are curious and get bitten far more often than hikers do.
Give every snake space. A snake on the trail is not a photo opportunity.

What to do if you see a rattlesnake

Stop moving as soon as you hear a rattle or see the snake.
Locate it, then back away slowly. Several feet is the minimum. More is better.
Leave it alone. Don’t poke it, throw things or try to move it. Moving it is how most bites happen.
Go around it with a wide berth, or turn back and choose a different route.

Not every rattlesnake rattles. A snake may stay silent and rely on its camouflage, which is another reason to watch the ground ahead of you.

What to do after a bite

Bites are rare, but this is the one situation where speed matters.

Call 911 right away and keep the person calm and as still as possible.
Get to a hospital quickly. Don’t try to drive a long way on your own if help can come to you.
Remove rings, watches and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Don’t cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice or use a tourniquet.

This is general safety information, not medical advice. In an emergency, follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions.

Rattlesnakes and a desert tour

People ask us about snakes often, and the honest answer is that you will probably never see one. Snakes avoid the noise and vibration of engines, and a guided tour sticks to established trails with a guide who knows the terrain. If a snake does show up, you’re sitting in a buggy with a guide leading the way, which is a far better spot than a footpath.

If you want to meet the rest of the Sonoran Desert’s residents, read our roundup of the Sonoran Desert wildlife you’ll see on an Arizona ATV tour and our Gila monster guide. Other safety questions are covered in our frequently asked questions.

See the desert from the driver’s seat

The easiest way to enjoy snake country is with someone who knows it. On a guided Scottsdale ATV tour, you drive your own sand buggy on established trails through the Tonto National Forest, with a CPR-certified guide leading the group and a full safety briefing before you go. Buggies start at $299 each, plus tax and fees, and seat two. Call Desert Dog Offroad Adventures at (480) 837-3966 or book online.