Best Time to See Bats in Montana
August, June and July is the best time to see bats in Montana. Based on 305 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · Laura Gaudette CC BY
Townsend's Big-eared Bat · Public domain CC0
Silver-haired Bat · Public domain CC0
305 verified observations of bats in Montana, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Montana
Peak month
August
87 records (28.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 8 | 2.6% |
| May | 49 | 16.1% |
| Junepeak | 71 | 23.3% |
| Julypeak | 54 | 17.7% |
| Augustpeak | 87 | 28.5% |
| September | 28 | 9.2% |
| October | 5 | 1.6% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 3 | 1% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Little Brown Bat | 38 |
| Big Brown Bat | 30 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 25 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 18 |
| Western Small-footed Myotis | 13 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 10 |
| Long-eared Myotis | 8 |
| Yuma Myotis | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
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 47 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| May | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in Montana:
Sightings of bats in Montana peak in August, when 87 of the year's 305 verified observations are logged — about 28.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, June and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when bats are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired 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 Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Montana?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, June and July, based on 305 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Montana?+
January is the quietest month for bats in Montana, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are bats active year-round in Montana?+
Bats are recorded in 8 of 12 months in Montana, concentrated around August and June.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Montana