NatureNorth's - Narcisse Snake Dens, Snake Log 2024

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Here's how things have been going this year:

September 6, 2024

The 2024 Fall Snake Viewing Season is underway.

"The snakes have begun their fall migration and are starting to arrive back at the snake dens. Warm, sunny days are the best for viewing snakes in the fall as they bask in the sunshine near the den entrances - Manitoba Conservation."

The autumn snake viewing season can be interesting, but the numbers visible will be much lower. A summer's worth of vegetation growth obscures many of the snakes.

May 31, 2024

The 2024 Spring Snake Viewing Season is over. There may be a few snakes around, but numbers will be very low.

Check back here in September for updates on the fall return of the snakes to the Dens.

May 22, 2024

Recent reports suggest that the snake viewing season is nearly over. Snake numbers at all dens are low. The peak of snake activity seems to have occured about 2 weeks ago.

Trail conditions are good. Please be respectful of others and careful with the snakes. Report any abuses you see or concerns you have.

May 17, 2024

Though the peak of snake emergence may have past there are still snakes around to view.

MB Natural Resources is reporting: "Dens 2, 3 and 4 are active, viewing will be good for the Victoria Day long weekend.  Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes."

Direct reports from folks at the dens recently suggest that numbers and activity are on the low side.

May 13, 2024

Reports from this last weekend suggest that the peak of snake emergence may be past, but there will still be good numbers at Dens 2 and 3 for a while yet. Snake viewing will start to decline soon though.

Overall, numbers of snakes seem to be lower this year, but fluctuations in populations are normal.

May 9, 2024

Good snake action continues at Den 2 and Den 3. The weather forecast for this coming weekend (May 11-12) looks good so it should be a good time to plan a visit! Snake viewing will likely start to decline after this weekend.

Trail conditions are good. Please be respectful of others and careful with the snakes. Report any abuses you see or concerns you have.

May 6, 2024

Good snake action continues at Den 2 with modest activity at Dens 3 and 4. The weather forecast for this coming weekend (May 11-12) looks good so it should be a good time to plan a visit! Trail conditions are good.

Thanks to all the folks that have sent in reports, especially Stephanie, Trisha and Melissa!

Some folks have raised concerns about conditions and the actions of some people at the dens this last weekend. Snakes were being man-handled, long lines at the outhouses and high numbers of visitors and vehicles were reported, with many vehicles parked along the highway.

When the Den site is crowded please be respectful of others and careful with the snakes. Please report any abuses you see this coming weekend.

May 2, 2024

Good snake action continues at Den 2 with activity rising at the other dens. The weather forecast for this coming weekend (May 4-5) looks good so it should be a good time to plan a visit! Trail conditions are good, but with this week's rain there may be wet spots.

April 30, 2024:

The numbers of snakes at Narcisse have been increasing. Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes. Den 2 is currently the most active but dens 3 and 4 are active as well. All the trails have dried out. (From MB Natural Resources)

April 29, 2024

Stephanie reported on April 28: Great snake viewing on Sun, April 28! Lots of activity at den 2, decent activity at dens 3 and 4. Just a few snakes around den 1. Trail was dry except for tiny patch between dens 2 and 3.

Thanks to all the folks that have sent in reports!

Not looking like great weather for the coming week. Sunny days are always best for viewing.

April 25, 2024

A report from Apr. 24 lists trails as dry, some activity at Dens 3 and 4, and great activity at Den 2!

Folks are reporting good activity at Den 2, with lesser numbers at other dens. If the weather continues warm the end of April and early May could be the peak of emergence, perhaps earlier than in most years?

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Thanks for the reports from this last weekend, Apr. 20-21: Everett, Monika, Shawn, Brian, Brigid and Zoe!

Everett also reported good trail conditions with only a few wet spots. The parking lot gate has been opened, outhouses were open and stocked with TP and soap. No interpreters were seen.

April 16, 2024

This past weekend has seen significant snake action at the Dens. Things are just getting going, but reports have come in that snakes were out at all the dens except #1, with numbers in the hundreds at some of the other dens. The weather for this week is looking cool and wet, but sunny again by the weekend, so snakes should be out again this weekend.

If the weather stays warm the end of April and early May could be the peak of emergence, perhaps earlier than in most years?

April 19, 2024

Snake season is slowly starting. With the warmer weather forecasted next week, the snakes should start to increase their activity and emerge from their winter dens. The trails are still soft and are covered in water in some places. Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes. (This update from MB Natural Resources was posted April 24.)

April 10, 2024

No word yet of any sightings of snakes at Narcisse Dens, it's still early. Some reports have come in of folks seeing Plains Garter Snakes, Manitoba's other garter snake species, out and about. Plains Garters overwinter below ground, too, but aren't found in the same concentrations as the Red-sided Garters at the Narcisse Dens.

April 1, 2024

No, it's not an April Fool's joke, spring may actually be coming to Manitoba soon! With our relatively small snow cover things could warm up rapidly at the Dens. But it will still be much later in April before there may be any real snake action. Be patient.

February 23, 2024

What will our really mild, little snow winter mean for spring snake viewing? Who knows? Start checking back here in late March for updates.

Check the updates above or check out our FAQs.

To see how things unfolded in previous years follow this link: Previous Years at the Dens.