Bees in Arizona in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bees in Arizona. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 5,129 of the 36,985 sightings logged across the year (13.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bees in Arizona
13.9%
of yearly sightings
5,129
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
36,985
verified records a year
April 18.1%, May 13.9%, June 10.1%. Busiest month is April at 18.1%.
36,985 verified observations of bees in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
April
6,690 records (18.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 593 | 1.6% |
| February | 1,449 | 3.9% |
| Marchpeak | 4,530 | 12.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 6,690 | 18.1% |
| Maypeak | 5,129 | 13.9% |
| June | 3,717 | 10.1% |
| July | 3,535 | 9.6% |
| August | 4,021 | 10.9% |
| September | 3,278 | 8.9% |
| October | 2,159 | 5.8% |
| November | 1,218 | 3.3% |
| December | 666 | 1.8% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Honey Bee | 7,861 |
| Sonoran Bumble Bee | 1,750 |
| Western Carpenter Bee | 1,513 |
| Valley Carpenter Bee | 1,231 |
| Hunt's Bumble Bee | 778 |
| California Digger Bee | 765 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 633 |
| Centris pallida | 510 |
In Arizona, May carries 13.9% of the year's bees sightings, about 5.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (18.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bees most often recorded in Arizona are Western Honey Bee, Sonoran Bumble Bee and Western Carpenter Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Western Honey Bee7,861 records
- Sonoran Bumble Bee1,750 records
- Western Carpenter Bee1,513 records
- Valley Carpenter Bee1,231 records
- Hunt's Bumble Bee778 records
- California Digger Bee765 records
Plan your bee trip in Arizona
Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Arizona.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Arizona
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Arizona in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,129 of the 36,985 verified bees sightings logged in Arizona across the year, which is 13.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Arizona?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for bees in Arizona?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 36,985 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Arizona?+
The most-recorded species in Arizona are Western Honey Bee, Sonoran Bumble Bee and Western Carpenter Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Arizona in other months
More wildlife in Arizona