Squirrels in Iowa in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see squirrels in Iowa. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 586 of the 3,564 sightings logged across the year (16.4%), 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 squirrels in Iowa
16.4%
of yearly sightings
586
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
3,564
verified records a year
April 13.4%, May 16.4%, June 11.1%. Busiest month is May at 16.4%.
3,564 verified observations of squirrels in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
May
586 records (16.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 139 | 3.9% |
| February | 110 | 3.1% |
| March | 251 | 7% |
| Aprilpeak | 477 | 13.4% |
| Maypeak | 586 | 16.4% |
| June | 396 | 11.1% |
| July | 269 | 7.5% |
| August | 238 | 6.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 440 | 12.3% |
| October | 398 | 11.2% |
| November | 140 | 3.9% |
| December | 120 | 3.4% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 1,341 |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 742 |
| Eastern Chipmunk | 734 |
| Groundhog | 443 |
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | 158 |
| American Red Squirrel | 34 |
| Southern Flying Squirrel | 5 |
In Iowa, May carries 16.4% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 8.1 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 (13.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The squirrels most often recorded in Iowa are Eastern Fox Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk. 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 squirrels you are most likely to see
- Eastern Fox Squirrel1,341 records
- Eastern Gray Squirrel742 records
- Eastern Chipmunk734 records
- Groundhog443 records
- Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel158 records
- American Red Squirrel34 records
Plan your squirrel 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.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see squirrels in Iowa in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 586 of the 3,564 verified squirrels sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 16.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see squirrels in Iowa?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and September.
What month is best for squirrels in Iowa?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and September, based on 3,564 verified observations.
Which squirrels are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Eastern Fox Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See squirrels in Iowa in other months
More wildlife in Iowa