Frogs in Illinois in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see frogs in Illinois. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 5,342 of the 29,185 sightings logged across the year (18.3%), 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 frogs in Illinois
18.3%
of yearly sightings
5,342
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
29,185
verified records a year
April 15.1%, May 18.3%, June 15.7%. Busiest month is May at 18.3%.
29,185 verified observations of frogs in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When frogs are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
May
5,342 records (18.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53 | 0.2% |
| February | 303 | 1% |
| March | 1,803 | 6.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,421 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 5,342 | 18.3% |
| Junepeak | 4,584 | 15.7% |
| July | 3,599 | 12.3% |
| August | 3,247 | 11.1% |
| September | 3,133 | 10.7% |
| October | 2,366 | 8.1% |
| November | 258 | 0.9% |
| December | 76 | 0.3% |
Frogs you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Toad | 6,738 |
| American Bullfrog | 4,770 |
| Green Frog | 2,562 |
| Blanchard's Cricket Frog | 2,560 |
| Northern Leopard Frog | 1,676 |
| Fowler's Toad | 1,318 |
| Southern Leopard Frog | 1,237 |
| Gray Treefrog | 1,134 |
In Illinois, May carries 18.3% of the year's frogs sightings, about 10 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (15.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The frogs most often recorded in Illinois are American Toad, American Bullfrog and Green Frog. 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 frogs you are most likely to see
- American Toad6,738 records
- American Bullfrog4,770 records
- Green Frog2,562 records
- Blanchard's Cricket Frog2,560 records
- Northern Leopard Frog1,676 records
- Fowler's Toad1,318 records
Plan your frog trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main frog viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best frog viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a frog tour in Illinois
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see frogs in Illinois in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,342 of the 29,185 verified frogs sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 18.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see frogs in Illinois?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for frogs in Illinois?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 29,185 verified observations.
Which frogs are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are American Toad, American Bullfrog and Green Frog, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.