Bees in Montana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,109 of the 8,723 sightings logged across the year (12.7%), 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 bees in Montana
12.7%
of yearly sightings
1,109
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
8,723
verified records a year
April 5.4%, May 12.7%, June 24.9%. Busiest month is July at 27.4%.
8,723 verified observations of bees in Montana, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
2,394 records (27.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 26 | 0.3% |
| April | 470 | 5.4% |
| May | 1,109 | 12.7% |
| Junepeak | 2,169 | 24.9% |
| Julypeak | 2,394 | 27.4% |
| Augustpeak | 1,713 | 19.6% |
| September | 755 | 8.7% |
| October | 79 | 0.9% |
| November | 5 | 0.1% |
| December | 2 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Vancouver Bumble Bee | 752 |
| Hunt's Bumble Bee | 706 |
| Western Honey Bee | 609 |
| Nevada Bumble Bee | 278 |
| Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee | 263 |
| Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee | 258 |
| Great Basin Bumble Bee | 251 |
| Half-black Bumble Bee | 223 |
In Montana, May carries 12.7% of the year's bees sightings, about 4.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.9%) after. The busiest month is July (27.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Montana are Vancouver Bumble Bee, Hunt's Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee. 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 bees you are most likely to see
- Vancouver Bumble Bee752 records
- Hunt's Bumble Bee706 records
- Western Honey Bee609 records
- Nevada Bumble Bee278 records
- Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee263 records
- Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee258 records
Plan your bee 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.
GetYourGuide
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 bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Montana
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,109 of the 8,723 verified bees sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 12.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Montana?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Montana?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 8,723 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Vancouver Bumble Bee, Hunt's Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Montana in other months
More wildlife in Montana