Best Time to See Bats in Minnesota
July, August and September is the best time to see bats in Minnesota. Based on 650 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Minnesota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Silver-haired Bat · Meghan Cassidy CC BY-SA
Northern Hoary Bat · sophia_herrmeyer CC BY
Silver-haired Bat · Rose Zappa CC BY
650 verified observations of bats in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
July
148 records (22.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 0.9% |
| February | 6 | 0.9% |
| March | 17 | 2.6% |
| April | 62 | 9.5% |
| May | 73 | 11.2% |
| June | 60 | 9.2% |
| Julypeak | 148 | 22.8% |
| Augustpeak | 121 | 18.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 80 | 12.3% |
| October | 46 | 7.1% |
| November | 16 | 2.5% |
| December | 15 | 2.3% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 258 |
| Little Brown Bat | 71 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 63 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 34 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 18 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 13 |
| Northern Myotis | 2 |
| Evening Bat | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
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 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Feb | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Mar | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Apr | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| May | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Jun | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Julbest time | 79°F | 62°F | 4.6" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 3.8" |
| Sepbest time | 70°F | 54°F | 3.6" |
| Oct | 53°F | 40°F | 2.7" |
| Nov | 38°F | 25°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 27°F | 14°F | 2.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Minnesota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in Minnesota:
Sightings of bats in Minnesota peak in July, when 148 of the year's 650 verified observations are logged — about 22.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and September.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 6 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 Minnesota are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Silver-haired 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 Minnesota
- Grand Portage National Monument — National Monument
- Mississippi National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pipestone National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Voyageurs National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Minnesota?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and September, based on 650 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Minnesota?+
January is the quietest month for bats in Minnesota, with only 6 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Minnesota?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Minnesota