Best Time to See Rabbits in Minnesota
May, June and July is the best time to see rabbits in Minnesota. Based on 6,195 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when rabbits 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 June 28, 2026.
Eastern Cottontail · Marilynn Miller CC BY
Eastern Cottontail · Liren Varghese CC BY
Snowshoe Hare · Public domain CC0
6,195 verified observations of rabbits in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When rabbits are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
May
1,071 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 396 | 6.4% |
| February | 405 | 6.5% |
| March | 349 | 5.6% |
| April | 802 | 12.9% |
| Maypeak | 1,071 | 17.3% |
| Junepeak | 988 | 15.9% |
| Julypeak | 819 | 13.2% |
| August | 457 | 7.4% |
| September | 275 | 4.4% |
| October | 170 | 2.7% |
| November | 179 | 2.9% |
| December | 284 | 4.6% |
Rabbits you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Cottontail | 4,805 |
| Snowshoe Hare | 1,169 |
| White-tailed Jackrabbit | 48 |
| European Rabbit | 3 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when rabbits are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for rabbits sit around 44 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Feb | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Mar | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Apr | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Julbest time | 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 rabbits in Minnesota:
Sightings of rabbits in Minnesota peak in May, when 1,071 of the year's 6,195 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is October and November, when rabbits are hardest to find — October sees just 170 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The rabbits you are most likely to encounter in Minnesota are Eastern Cottontail, Snowshoe Hare and White-tailed Jackrabbit — 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 rabbits 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see rabbits in Minnesota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 6,195 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are rabbits hardest to see in Minnesota?+
October is the quietest month for rabbits in Minnesota, with only 170 verified records.
Are rabbits active year-round in Minnesota?+
Rabbits are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see rabbits
More wildlife in Minnesota