Bats in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in Minnesota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 73 of the 650 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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.
Good month for bats in Minnesota
11.2%
of yearly sightings
73
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
650
verified records a year
April 9.5%, May 11.2%, June 9.2%. Busiest month is July at 22.8%.
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 |
In Minnesota, May carries 11.2% of the year's bats sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.2%) after. The busiest month is July (22.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in Minnesota are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat. 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 bats you are most likely to see
- Big Brown Bat258 records
- Little Brown Bat71 records
- Silver-haired Bat63 records
- Eastern Red Bat34 records
- Northern Hoary Bat18 records
- Tri-coloured Bat13 records
Plan your bat trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage 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 Grand Portage National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in Minnesota.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in Minnesota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bats in Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 73 of the 650 verified bats sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Minnesota?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in Minnesota?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 650 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Minnesota in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Minnesota