Chipmunks in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see chipmunks in New York. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 5,697 of the 42,378 sightings logged across the year (13.4%), 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 York
13.4%
of yearly sightings
5,697
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
42,378
verified records a year
April 14.5%, May 13.4%, June 10.9%. Busiest month is April at 14.5%.
42,378 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
April
6,164 records (14.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,720 | 4.1% |
| February | 1,749 | 4.1% |
| March | 2,872 | 6.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 6,164 | 14.5% |
| Maypeak | 5,697 | 13.4% |
| June | 4,633 | 10.9% |
| July | 3,366 | 7.9% |
| August | 2,911 | 6.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 4,728 | 11.2% |
| October | 4,179 | 9.9% |
| November | 2,334 | 5.5% |
| December | 2,025 | 4.8% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 25,573 |
| Eastern Chipmunk | 7,891 |
| Groundhog | 5,343 |
| American Red Squirrel | 2,683 |
| Southern Flying Squirrel | 288 |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | 62 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 34 |
In New York, May carries 13.4% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 5.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (14.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.9%) 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 York are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog. 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
- Eastern Gray Squirrel25,573 records
- Eastern Chipmunk7,891 records
- Groundhog5,343 records
- American Red Squirrel2,683 records
- Southern Flying Squirrel288 records
- Northern Flying Squirrel62 records
Plan your chipmunk trip in New York
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main chipmunk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a chipmunk tour in New York
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 York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,697 of the 42,378 verified chipmunks sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 13.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see chipmunks in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and September.
What month is best for chipmunks in New York?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and September, based on 42,378 verified observations.
Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.