Snakes in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Minnesota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,752 of the 8,243 sightings logged across the year (21.3%), 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 30, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Minnesota
21.3%
of yearly sightings
1,752
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
8,243
verified records a year
April 11.1%, May 21.3%, June 16.7%. Busiest month is May at 21.3%.
8,243 verified observations of snakes in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
May
1,752 records (21.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.1% |
| February | 6 | 0.1% |
| March | 94 | 1.1% |
| April | 918 | 11.1% |
| Maypeak | 1,752 | 21.3% |
| Junepeak | 1,373 | 16.7% |
| July | 985 | 11.9% |
| August | 1,029 | 12.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,166 | 14.1% |
| October | 827 | 10% |
| November | 80 | 1% |
| December | 8 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 3,946 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 1,147 |
| Prairie Skink | 538 |
| Gopher Snake | 479 |
| Western Foxsnake | 472 |
| Plains Garter Snake | 339 |
| Eastern Hognose Snake | 251 |
| Common Watersnake | 246 |
In Minnesota, May carries 21.3% of the year's snakes sightings, about 13 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (11.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Minnesota are Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake and Prairie Skink. 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 snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Garter Snake3,946 records
- Red-bellied Snake1,147 records
- Prairie Skink538 records
- Gopher Snake479 records
- Western Foxsnake472 records
- Plains Garter Snake339 records
Plan your snake 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 snake viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in Minnesota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a snake tour in Minnesota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,752 of the 8,243 verified snakes sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 21.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Minnesota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and September.
What month is best for snakes in Minnesota?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and September, based on 8,243 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake and Prairie Skink, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Minnesota in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Minnesota