Chipmunks in Montana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see chipmunks in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 791 of the 8,725 sightings logged across the year (9.1%), 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 chipmunks in Montana
9.1%
of yearly sightings
791
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
8,725
verified records a year
April 5.2%, May 9.1%, June 20.4%. Busiest month is July at 26.7%.
8,725 verified observations of chipmunks in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
2,330 records (26.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 114 | 1.3% |
| February | 107 | 1.2% |
| March | 273 | 3.1% |
| April | 452 | 5.2% |
| May | 791 | 9.1% |
| Junepeak | 1,777 | 20.4% |
| Julypeak | 2,330 | 26.7% |
| Augustpeak | 1,781 | 20.4% |
| September | 652 | 7.5% |
| October | 239 | 2.7% |
| November | 118 | 1.4% |
| December | 91 | 1% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Columbian Ground Squirrel | 2,038 |
| American Red Squirrel | 1,310 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 1,088 |
| Hoary Marmot | 856 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 542 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 456 |
| Yellow-pine Chipmunk | 406 |
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | 368 |
In Montana, May carries 9.1% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 0.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.4%) after. The busiest month is July (26.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The chipmunks most often recorded in Montana are Columbian Ground Squirrel, American Red Squirrel and Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. 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 chipmunks you are most likely to see
- Columbian Ground Squirrel2,038 records
- American Red Squirrel1,310 records
- Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel1,088 records
- Hoary Marmot856 records
- Eastern Fox Squirrel542 records
- Yellow-bellied Marmot456 records
Plan your chipmunk 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 chipmunk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a chipmunk 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 chipmunks in Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 791 of the 8,725 verified chipmunks sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 9.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see chipmunks in Montana?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for chipmunks in Montana?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 8,725 verified observations.
Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Columbian Ground Squirrel, American Red Squirrel and Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See chipmunks in Montana in other months
More wildlife in Montana