Best Time to See Bats in New Hampshire

August, July and September is the best time to see bats in New Hampshire. Based on 221 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in New Hampshire.

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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 photographed in New Hampshire

Big Brown Bat · jsparrell CC BY

Eastern Red Bat photographed in New Hampshire

Eastern Red Bat · jsparrell CC BY

Big Brown Bat photographed in New Hampshire

Big Brown Bat · Steven Lamonde CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: August, July, SeptemberPeak season right now

221 verified observations of bats in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in New Hampshire

Peak month

August

54 records (24.4% of the year)

Quietest month

January

1 records

MonthObservationsShare
January10.5%
February52.3%
March83.6%
April156.8%
May2210%
June2511.3%
Julypeak4419.9%
Augustpeak5424.4%
Septemberpeak3114%
October94.1%
November41.8%
December31.4%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat101
Little Brown Bat12
Eastern Red Bat9
Eastern Small-footed Myotis4
Northern Hoary Bat2
Northern Myotis2
Silver-haired Bat1
Tri-coloured Bat1

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in New Hampshire

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 48 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan24°F8°F4.1"
Feb25°F8°F3.6"
Mar34°F18°F3.3"
Apr45°F29°F5.2"
May58°F40°F4.1"
Jun67°F50°F4.8"
Julbest time72°F57°F7.1"
Augbest time70°F56°F4.5"
Sepbest time63°F48°F4.5"
Oct53°F39°F5.6"
Nov38°F24°F4.2"
Dec30°F17°F6"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Hampshire. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of bats in New Hampshire peak in August, when 54 of the year's 221 verified observations are logged — about 24.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and September.

The quietest stretch is January, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 1 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 New Hampshire are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Eastern Red 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 New Hampshire

  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Saint-Gaudens National Historical ParkNational Historical Park

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bats in New Hampshire?+

August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and September, based on 221 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bats hardest to see in New Hampshire?+

January is the quietest month for bats in New Hampshire, with only 1 verified records.

Are bats active year-round in New Hampshire?+

Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Hampshire, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.