Best Time to See Cardinals in Minnesota
April, May and March is the best time to see cardinals in Minnesota. Based on 5,147 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when cardinals 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.
Northern Cardinal · Marilynn Miller CC BY
Northern Cardinal · Liren Varghese CC BY
Northern Cardinal · Marilynn Miller CC BY
5,147 verified observations of cardinals in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cardinals are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
April
1,053 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 349 | 6.8% |
| February | 332 | 6.5% |
| Marchpeak | 539 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,053 | 20.5% |
| Maypeak | 822 | 16% |
| June | 341 | 6.6% |
| July | 354 | 6.9% |
| August | 231 | 4.5% |
| September | 208 | 4% |
| October | 243 | 4.7% |
| November | 276 | 5.4% |
| December | 399 | 7.8% |
Cardinals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | 5,147 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when cardinals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for cardinals sit around 19 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Feb | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Marbest time | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Jun | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Jul | 79°F | 62°F | 4.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 61°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 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 cardinals in Minnesota:
Sightings of cardinals in Minnesota peak in April, when 1,053 of the year's 5,147 verified observations are logged — about 20.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is September, August and October, when cardinals are hardest to find — September sees just 208 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The cardinals you are most likely to encounter in Minnesota are Northern Cardinal — 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 cardinals 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 cardinals in Minnesota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 5,147 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are cardinals hardest to see in Minnesota?+
September is the quietest month for cardinals in Minnesota, with only 208 verified records.
Are cardinals active year-round in Minnesota?+
Cardinals are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see cardinals
More wildlife in Minnesota