Beavers in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see beavers in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 451 of the 2,513 sightings logged across the year (17.9%), 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 beavers in Minnesota
17.9%
of yearly sightings
451
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
2,513
verified records a year
April 19.9%, May 17.9%, June 8.6%. Busiest month is April at 19.9%.
2,513 verified observations of beavers in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When beavers are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
April
500 records (19.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 89 | 3.5% |
| February | 113 | 4.5% |
| Marchpeak | 264 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 500 | 19.9% |
| Maypeak | 451 | 17.9% |
| June | 217 | 8.6% |
| July | 117 | 4.7% |
| August | 96 | 3.8% |
| September | 171 | 6.8% |
| October | 182 | 7.2% |
| November | 184 | 7.3% |
| December | 129 | 5.1% |
Beavers you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Beaver | 2,513 |
In Minnesota, May carries 17.9% of the year's beavers sightings, about 9.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (19.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The beavers most often recorded in Minnesota are American Beaver. 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 beavers you are most likely to see
- American Beaver2,513 records
Plan your beaver 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 beaver viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best beaver viewing area in Minnesota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a beaver tour in Minnesota
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 beavers in Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 451 of the 2,513 verified beavers sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 17.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see beavers in Minnesota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for beavers in Minnesota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 2,513 verified observations.
Which beavers are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are American Beaver, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See beavers in Minnesota in other months
More wildlife in Minnesota