Best Time to See Bats in Missouri
October, April and May is the best time to see bats in Missouri. Based on 1,105 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Eastern Red Bat · Public domain CC0
Big Brown Bat · Public domain CC0
Tri-coloured Bat · Nathan Aaron CC BY
1,105 verified observations of bats in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
October
187 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 39 | 3.5% |
| February | 40 | 3.6% |
| March | 100 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 155 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 115 | 10.4% |
| June | 95 | 8.6% |
| July | 91 | 8.2% |
| August | 82 | 7.4% |
| September | 98 | 8.9% |
| Octoberpeak | 187 | 16.9% |
| November | 68 | 6.2% |
| December | 35 | 3.2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 335 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 187 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 132 |
| Evening Bat | 96 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 28 |
| Gray Bat | 24 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 13 |
| Little Brown Bat | 12 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 45 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Mar | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Octbest time | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in Missouri peak in October, when 187 of the year's 1,105 verified observations are logged — about 16.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through October, April and May.
The quietest stretch is December, January and February, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 35 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Tri-coloured Bat — 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 bats in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Missouri?+
October is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through October, April and May, based on 1,105 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Missouri?+
December is the quietest month for bats in Missouri, with only 35 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Missouri?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in October.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Missouri