Chipmunks in New Mexico in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see chipmunks in New Mexico. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,322 of the 9,424 sightings logged across the year (14%), 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.
Peak month for chipmunks in New Mexico
14%
of yearly sightings
1,322
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
9,424
verified records a year
April 12%, May 14%, June 15.4%. Busiest month is July at 15.5%.
9,424 verified observations of chipmunks in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
July
1,462 records (15.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 186 | 2% |
| February | 204 | 2.2% |
| March | 555 | 5.9% |
| April | 1,133 | 12% |
| Maypeak | 1,322 | 14% |
| Junepeak | 1,449 | 15.4% |
| Julypeak | 1,462 | 15.5% |
| August | 1,135 | 12% |
| September | 886 | 9.4% |
| October | 568 | 6% |
| November | 269 | 2.9% |
| December | 255 | 2.7% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Rock Squirrel | 2,171 |
| Gunnison's Prairie Dog | 1,792 |
| Abert's Squirrel | 1,040 |
| Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel | 788 |
| Fremont's Squirrel | 609 |
| Colorado Chipmunk | 417 |
| Gray-footed Chipmunk | 274 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 256 |
In New Mexico, May carries 14% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 5.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (12%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The chipmunks most often recorded in New Mexico are Rock Squirrel, Gunnison's Prairie Dog and Abert's 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
- Rock Squirrel2,171 records
- Gunnison's Prairie Dog1,792 records
- Abert's Squirrel1,040 records
- Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel788 records
- Fremont's Squirrel609 records
- Colorado Chipmunk417 records
Plan your chipmunk trip in New Mexico
Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bandelier National Monument
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 Bandelier National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in New Mexico.
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Broader backupBook a chipmunk tour in New Mexico
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 New Mexico in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,322 of the 9,424 verified chipmunks sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 14% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see chipmunks in New Mexico?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and May.
What month is best for chipmunks in New Mexico?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and May, based on 9,424 verified observations.
Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+
The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Rock Squirrel, Gunnison's Prairie Dog and Abert's Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See chipmunks in New Mexico in other months
More wildlife in New Mexico