Bees in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Minnesota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 8,584 of the 87,488 sightings logged across the year (9.8%), 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 bees in Minnesota
9.8%
of yearly sightings
8,584
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
87,488
verified records a year
April 2.9%, May 9.8%, June 16.1%. 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, May carries 9.8% of the year's bees sightings, about 1.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.1%) after. The busiest month is July (30%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 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 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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Minnesota.
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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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 8,584 of the 87,488 verified bees sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 9.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Minnesota?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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