Best Time to See Bats in Arizona
August, September and May is the best time to see bats in Arizona. Based on 3,185 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Arizona.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Allen's Big-eared Bat · Public domain CC0
Long-tongued Bat · Dan Vickers CC BY
Pallid Bat · Rachel Stringham CC BY
3,185 verified observations of bats in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
August
517 records (16.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 39 | 1.2% |
| February | 73 | 2.3% |
| March | 203 | 6.4% |
| April | 355 | 11.1% |
| Maypeak | 450 | 14.1% |
| June | 419 | 13.2% |
| July | 406 | 12.7% |
| Augustpeak | 517 | 16.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 459 | 14.4% |
| October | 180 | 5.7% |
| November | 50 | 1.6% |
| December | 34 | 1.1% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Pallid Bat | 327 |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 280 |
| Canyon Bat | 280 |
| Lesser Long-nosed Bat | 235 |
| Big Brown Bat | 213 |
| Long-tongued Bat | 176 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 104 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 102 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 56 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Mar | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Augbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in Arizona peak in August, when 517 of the year's 3,185 verified observations are logged — about 16.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and May.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 34 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Pallid Bat, Mexican Free-tailed Bat and Canyon Bat — 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 bats in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Arizona?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and May, based on 3,185 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Arizona?+
December is the quietest month for bats in Arizona, with only 34 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Arizona?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Arizona