Best Time to See Bats in Louisiana
April, June and March is the best time to see bats in Louisiana. Based on 387 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Louisiana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Mexican Free-tailed Bat · Irvin Louque CC BY
Evening Bat · Jody Shugart CC BY
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat · Loren Cassin Sackett CC BY
387 verified observations of bats in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
April
99 records (25.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 6.2% |
| February | 16 | 4.1% |
| Marchpeak | 36 | 9.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 99 | 25.6% |
| May | 32 | 8.3% |
| Junepeak | 66 | 17.1% |
| July | 18 | 4.7% |
| August | 22 | 5.7% |
| September | 36 | 9.3% |
| October | 14 | 3.6% |
| November | 17 | 4.4% |
| December | 7 | 1.8% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Evening Bat | 64 |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 49 |
| Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat | 38 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 31 |
| Big Brown Bat | 26 |
| Seminole Bat | 19 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 19 |
| Southeastern Myotis | 13 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Louisiana
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 54 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 64°F | 46°F | 5.3" |
| Marbest time | 72°F | 54°F | 5.8" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 58°F | 7.8" |
| May | 85°F | 67°F | 6" |
| Junbest time | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Jul | 91°F | 75°F | 8.2" |
| Aug | 93°F | 76°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 80°F | 62°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 69°F | 50°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in Louisiana:
Sightings of bats in Louisiana peak in April, when 99 of the year's 387 verified observations are logged — about 25.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, June and March.
The quietest stretch is December, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 7 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 Louisiana are Evening Bat, Mexican Free-tailed Bat and Rafinesque's Big-eared 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 Louisiana
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — National Historical Park and Preserve
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument — National Monument
- Vicksburg National Military Park — National Military Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Louisiana?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, June and March, based on 387 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Louisiana?+
December is the quietest month for bats in Louisiana, with only 7 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Louisiana?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Louisiana