Best Time to See Chipmunks in New York
May, June and September is the best time to see chipmunks in New York. Based on 7,987 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when chipmunks are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Eastern Chipmunk · Public domain CC0
Eastern Chipmunk · eml23 CC BY
Eastern Chipmunk · redrovertracy CC BY
7,987 verified observations of chipmunks in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in New York
Peak month
May
1,670 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 0.3% |
| February | 79 | 1% |
| March | 301 | 3.8% |
| April | 847 | 10.6% |
| Maypeak | 1,670 | 20.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,494 | 18.7% |
| July | 968 | 12.1% |
| August | 685 | 8.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,004 | 12.6% |
| October | 709 | 8.9% |
| November | 166 | 2.1% |
| December | 40 | 0.5% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Chipmunk | 7,978 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when chipmunks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for chipmunks sit around 45 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on chipmunks in New York:
Sightings of chipmunks in New York peak in May, when 1,670 of the year's 7,987 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and September.
The quietest stretch is January, when chipmunks are hardest to find — January sees just 24 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The chipmunks you are most likely to encounter in New York are Eastern Chipmunk — 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 chipmunks in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see chipmunks in New York?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and September, based on 7,987 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are chipmunks hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for chipmunks in New York, with only 24 verified records.
Are chipmunks active year-round in New York?+
Chipmunks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see chipmunks
More wildlife in New York