Best Time to See Bats in Iowa
July, August and June is the best time to see bats in Iowa. Based on 238 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Iowa.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · Barrett Coller Jr. CC BY
Big Brown Bat · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
Big Brown Bat · Seth G. Breeding CC BY
238 verified observations of bats in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
July
47 records (19.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 1.7% |
| February | 9 | 3.8% |
| March | 14 | 5.9% |
| April | 29 | 12.2% |
| May | 19 | 8% |
| Junepeak | 30 | 12.6% |
| Julypeak | 47 | 19.7% |
| Augustpeak | 35 | 14.7% |
| September | 24 | 10.1% |
| October | 16 | 6.7% |
| November | 6 | 2.5% |
| December | 5 | 2.1% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 113 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 15 |
| Little Brown Bat | 14 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 10 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 7 |
| Evening Bat | 3 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 3 |
| Indiana Bat | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Iowa
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 63 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 30°F | 11°F | 1.3" |
| Mar | 48°F | 29°F | 2.6" |
| Apr | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5" |
| May | 70°F | 52°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Julbest time | 84°F | 67°F | 3.6" |
| Augbest time | 83°F | 65°F | 3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 59°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 61°F | 44°F | 4.2" |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 1.6" |
| Dec | 39°F | 23°F | 1.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Iowa. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in Iowa:
Sightings of bats in Iowa peak in July, when 47 of the year's 238 verified observations are logged — about 19.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January, December and November, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 4 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 Iowa are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Little Brown 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 Iowa
- Effigy Mounds National Monument — National Monument
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Iowa?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 238 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Iowa?+
January is the quietest month for bats in Iowa, with only 4 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Iowa?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Iowa, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Iowa