Bees in Minnesota in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bees in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 22,683 of the 87,488 sightings logged across the year (25.9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bees in Minnesota
25.9%
of yearly sightings
22,683
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
87,488
verified records a year
July 30%, August 25.9%, September 12.9%. Busiest month is July at 30%.
87,488 verified observations of bees in Minnesota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
July
26,230 records (30% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 7 | 0% |
| March | 56 | 0.1% |
| April | 2,536 | 2.9% |
| May | 8,584 | 9.8% |
| Junepeak | 14,080 | 16.1% |
| Julypeak | 26,230 | 30% |
| Augustpeak | 22,683 | 25.9% |
| September | 11,328 | 12.9% |
| October | 1,928 | 2.2% |
| November | 53 | 0.1% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 16,208 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 8,525 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 5,674 |
| Western Honey Bee | 4,656 |
| Black-and-gold Bumble Bee | 3,905 |
| Red-belted Bumble Bee | 3,305 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 2,431 |
| Rusty-patched Bumble Bee | 2,353 |
In Minnesota, August carries 25.9% of the year's bees sightings, about 17.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (30%) into August, and it heads toward September (12.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bees most often recorded in Minnesota are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee16,208 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee8,525 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee5,674 records
- Western Honey Bee4,656 records
- Black-and-gold Bumble Bee3,905 records
- Red-belted Bumble Bee3,305 records
Plan your bee 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 bee viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Minnesota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bee 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 bees in Minnesota in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 22,683 of the 87,488 verified bees sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 25.9% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bees in Minnesota?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.
What month is best for bees in Minnesota?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 87,488 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Minnesota in other months
More wildlife in Minnesota