Raccoons in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see raccoons in New York. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 896 of the 5,689 sightings logged across the year (15.7%), 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 raccoons in New York
15.7%
of yearly sightings
896
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
5,689
verified records a year
April 13%, May 15.7%, June 11.4%. Busiest month is May at 15.7%.
5,689 verified observations of raccoons in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in New York
Peak month
May
896 records (15.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 309 | 5.4% |
| February | 349 | 6.1% |
| March | 467 | 8.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 739 | 13% |
| Maypeak | 896 | 15.7% |
| Junepeak | 650 | 11.4% |
| July | 452 | 7.9% |
| August | 473 | 8.3% |
| September | 478 | 8.4% |
| October | 397 | 7% |
| November | 250 | 4.4% |
| December | 229 | 4% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 5,689 |
In New York, May carries 15.7% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 7.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (13%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The raccoons most often recorded in New York are Common Raccoon. 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 raccoons you are most likely to see
- Common Raccoon5,689 records
Plan your raccoon 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 raccoon viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in New York.
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Broader backupBook a raccoon 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 raccoons in New York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 896 of the 5,689 verified raccoons sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 15.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see raccoons in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.
What month is best for raccoons in New York?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 5,689 verified observations.
Which raccoons are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Common Raccoon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See raccoons in New York in other months
More places to see raccoons