Raccoons in Illinois in April
Yes, April is one of the best months to see raccoons in Illinois. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 808 of the 4,078 sightings logged across the year (19.8%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for raccoons in Illinois
19.8%
of yearly sightings
808
records in April
#1
busiest month of 12
4,078
verified records a year
March 7.9%, April 19.8%, May 17.1%. Busiest month is April at 19.8%.
4,078 verified observations of raccoons in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
808 records (19.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 161 | 3.9% |
| February | 191 | 4.7% |
| March | 323 | 7.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 808 | 19.8% |
| Maypeak | 698 | 17.1% |
| Junepeak | 526 | 12.9% |
| July | 293 | 7.2% |
| August | 210 | 5.1% |
| September | 322 | 7.9% |
| October | 269 | 6.6% |
| November | 167 | 4.1% |
| December | 110 | 2.7% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 4,078 |
In Illinois, April carries 19.8% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 11.5 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 March (7.9%) into April, and it heads toward May (17.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The raccoons most often recorded in Illinois are Common Raccoon. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which raccoons you are most likely to see
- Common Raccoon4,078 records
Plan your raccoon 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 raccoon viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a raccoon tour in Illinois
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 raccoons in Illinois in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 808 of the 4,078 verified raccoons sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 19.8% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see raccoons in Illinois?+
April is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
What month is best for raccoons in Illinois?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 4,078 verified observations.
Which raccoons are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are Common Raccoon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See raccoons in Illinois in other months
More places to see raccoons
More wildlife in Illinois