Best Time to See Bats in Colorado
July, August and June is the best time to see bats in Colorado. Based on 861 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Colorado.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
861 verified observations of bats in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
196 records (22.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.6% |
| February | 7 | 0.8% |
| March | 21 | 2.4% |
| April | 45 | 5.2% |
| May | 116 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 134 | 15.6% |
| Julypeak | 196 | 22.8% |
| Augustpeak | 193 | 22.4% |
| September | 112 | 13% |
| October | 22 | 2.6% |
| November | 7 | 0.8% |
| December | 3 | 0.3% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 149 |
| Little Brown Bat | 81 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 45 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 31 |
| Western Small-footed Myotis | 29 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 26 |
| Long-eared Myotis | 20 |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 12 |
Sightings of bats in Colorado peak in July, when 196 of the year's 861 verified observations are logged — about 22.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is December, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 3 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 Colorado are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Silver-haired 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 Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Tours and experiences nearby
Booking.com
Stay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing in Colorado.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 861 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Colorado?+
December is the quietest month for bats in Colorado, with only 3 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Colorado?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.