Dragonflies in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Minnesota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 3,675 of the 43,459 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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.
Good month for dragonflies in Minnesota
8.5%
of yearly sightings
3,675
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
43,459
verified records a year
April 0.7%, May 8.5%, June 39.7%. Busiest month is June at 39.7%.
43,459 verified observations of dragonflies in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
June
17,259 records (39.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 0% |
| February | 18 | 0% |
| March | 26 | 0.1% |
| April | 325 | 0.7% |
| May | 3,675 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 17,259 | 39.7% |
| Julypeak | 11,840 | 27.2% |
| Augustpeak | 5,894 | 13.6% |
| September | 3,447 | 7.9% |
| October | 888 | 2% |
| November | 60 | 0.1% |
| December | 9 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 2,264 |
| Eastern Forktail | 2,246 |
| Common Green Darner | 2,079 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,866 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 1,833 |
| Common Whitetail | 1,711 |
| White-faced Meadowhawk | 1,526 |
| Chalk-fronted Corporal | 1,519 |
In Minnesota, May carries 8.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.2 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 April (0.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (39.7%) after. The busiest month is June (39.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Minnesota are Autumn Meadowhawk, Eastern Forktail and Common Green Darner. 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 dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Autumn Meadowhawk2,264 records
- Eastern Forktail2,246 records
- Common Green Darner2,079 records
- Widow Skimmer1,866 records
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer1,833 records
- Common Whitetail1,711 records
Plan your dragonfly 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 dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Minnesota.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly 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 dragonflies in Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,675 of the 43,459 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Minnesota?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in Minnesota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 43,459 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Autumn Meadowhawk, Eastern Forktail and Common Green Darner, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Minnesota in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Minnesota