Bats in Montana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 49 of the 305 sightings logged across the year (16.1%), 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 bats in Montana
16.1%
of yearly sightings
49
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
305
verified records a year
April 2.6%, May 16.1%, June 23.3%. Busiest month is August at 28.5%.
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 |
In Montana, May carries 16.1% of the year's bats sightings, about 7.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 8 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (23.3%) after. The busiest month is August (28.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in Montana are Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat. 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 bats you are most likely to see
- Little Brown Bat38 records
- Big Brown Bat30 records
- Silver-haired Bat25 records
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat18 records
- Western Small-footed Myotis13 records
- Northern Hoary Bat10 records
Plan your bat trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
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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 bats in Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 49 of the 305 verified bats sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 16.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Montana?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in Montana?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and July, based on 305 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Montana in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Montana