Chipmunks in Minnesota in September

Yes, September is a good month to see chipmunks in Minnesota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,952 of the 19,270 sightings logged across the year (10.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Eastern Chipmunk photographed in MinnesotaEastern Gray Squirrel photographed in MinnesotaEastern Gray Squirrel photographed in Minnesota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for chipmunks in Minnesota

10.1%

of yearly sightings

1,952

records in September

#4

busiest month of 12

19,270

verified records a year

August 7.8%, September 10.1%, October 8.4%. Busiest month is May at 14.2%.

Best months: May, April, June

19,270 verified observations of chipmunks in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When chipmunks are recorded in Minnesota

Peak month

May

2,736 records (14.2% of the year)

Quietest month

November

963 records

MonthObservationsShare
January9845.1%
February9945.2%
March1,1706.1%
Aprilpeak2,42612.6%
Maypeak2,73614.2%
Junepeak2,17911.3%
July1,7619.1%
August1,4987.8%
September1,95210.1%
October1,6188.4%
November9635%
December9895.1%

Chipmunks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel7,624
American Red Squirrel4,447
Eastern Chipmunk3,325
Groundhog977
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel966
Franklin's Ground Squirrel754
Eastern Fox Squirrel271
Least Chipmunk151

In Minnesota, September carries 10.1% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 1.8 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 August (7.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (8.4%) after. The busiest month is May (14.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The chipmunks most often recorded in Minnesota are Eastern Gray Squirrel, American Red Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.

Which chipmunks you are most likely to see

  • Eastern Gray Squirrel7,624 records
  • American Red Squirrel4,447 records
  • Eastern Chipmunk3,325 records
  • Groundhog977 records
  • Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel966 records
  • Franklin's Ground Squirrel754 records
Plan your tripGrand Portage National Monument

Plan your chipmunk 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see chipmunks in Minnesota in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 1,952 of the 19,270 verified chipmunks sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 10.1% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see chipmunks in Minnesota?+

September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for chipmunks in Minnesota?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 19,270 verified observations.

Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+

The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Eastern Gray Squirrel, American Red Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.