Best Time to See Bats in Nevada
May, August and April is the best time to see bats in Nevada. Based on 606 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Nevada.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Canyon Bat · Katrina Smith CC BY
Northern Hoary Bat · Dawn Nelson CC BY
Mexican Free-tailed Bat · Public domain CC0
606 verified observations of bats in Nevada, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Nevada
Peak month
May
114 records (18.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 1.2% |
| February | 13 | 2.1% |
| March | 34 | 5.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 96 | 15.8% |
| Maypeak | 114 | 18.8% |
| June | 85 | 14% |
| July | 54 | 8.9% |
| Augustpeak | 111 | 18.3% |
| September | 49 | 8.1% |
| October | 31 | 5.1% |
| November | 7 | 1.2% |
| December | 5 | 0.8% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Canyon Bat | 75 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 59 |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 54 |
| Pallid Bat | 36 |
| Big Brown Bat | 32 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 32 |
| Spotted Bat | 21 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 20 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Nevada
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 31 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 1.2" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 37°F | 21°F | 1.6" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 31°F | 0.6" |
| Maybest time | 60°F | 39°F | 1.1" |
| Jun | 72°F | 50°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 82°F | 59°F | 0.3" |
| Augbest time | 79°F | 57°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 50°F | 0.6" |
| Oct | 57°F | 36°F | 0.2" |
| Nov | 44°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 33°F | 18°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Nevada. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in Nevada peak in May, when 114 of the year's 606 verified observations are logged — about 18.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, August and April.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 5 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 Nevada are Canyon Bat, Northern Hoary Bat and Mexican Free-tailed 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 Nevada
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Great Basin National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument — National Monument
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Nevada?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, August and April, based on 606 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Nevada?+
December is the quietest month for bats in Nevada, with only 5 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Nevada?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Nevada, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Nevada