Raccoons in Iowa in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see raccoons in Iowa. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 138 of the 867 sightings logged across the year (15.9%), 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 raccoons in Iowa
15.9%
of yearly sightings
138
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
867
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 15.9%, June 14.8%. Busiest month is May at 15.9%.
867 verified observations of raccoons in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
May
138 records (15.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 35 | 4% |
| February | 37 | 4.3% |
| March | 71 | 8.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 102 | 11.8% |
| Maypeak | 138 | 15.9% |
| Junepeak | 128 | 14.8% |
| July | 81 | 9.3% |
| August | 58 | 6.7% |
| September | 79 | 9.1% |
| October | 68 | 7.8% |
| November | 40 | 4.6% |
| December | 30 | 3.5% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 867 |
In Iowa, May carries 15.9% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 7.6 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 (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The raccoons most often recorded in Iowa are Common Raccoon. 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 raccoons you are most likely to see
- Common Raccoon867 records
Plan your raccoon trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds 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 Effigy Mounds National Monument
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 Effigy Mounds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in Iowa.
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Broader backupBook a raccoon tour in Iowa
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 Iowa in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 138 of the 867 verified raccoons sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 15.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see raccoons in Iowa?+
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 raccoons in Iowa?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 867 verified observations.
Which raccoons are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Common Raccoon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See raccoons in Iowa in other months
More places to see raccoons
More wildlife in Iowa