Montana Rattlesnake Hotspots You Need To Know

4 Places You'll Find Rattlesnakes In Montana

As the weather warms up and more people start spending time outdoors, encounters with wildlife are bound to happen.

One critter you definitely want to be aware of is the rattlesnake; luckily, it’s the only venomous snake in Montana.

Rattlesnakes: Montana’s Only Venomous Snake

Here’s the thing about these snakes: they aren’t looking to hurt you. That rattle you hear is basically a warning saying, "Hey, I’m here, back off."

Even though we just have the one venomous snake, there are some spots around the state where your chances of running into one go up. According to World Atlas, here are a few rattlesnake "hotspots":

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

With over 120,000 acres along the southern Montana-Wyoming border, rattlers have plenty of hiding spots among the dry, desert terrain. If you’re hiking through sagebrush-covered areas, watch your step.

Yellowstone National Park

We’re lucky to have Yellowstone nearby, and the snakes that live there tend to stick closer to the Yellowstone River than busy spots like Old Faithful or Mammoth Hot Springs.

Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

Remaining almost untouched since the days of the Lewis & Clark expedition, this national monument contains over 370,000 acres for rattlesnakes to hide among the tall grass and rock outcroppings.

Rimrocks of Billings

Even near the biggest city in Montana, rattlers can be found. The south-facing rocks along the Rimrocks are perfect for sunbathing, so keep your eyes open the next time you're hiking along the trails.

Stay Alert Outdoors: Rattlesnakes Can Be Anywhere

Even though these are some of the main "hotspots," for rattlers, snakes in general can show up in the most unexpected of places.

Check out the photo gallery below to see some of the lakes where you’re most likely to spot snakes.