Best Time to See Bats in North Dakota
August, June and April is the best time to see bats in North Dakota. Based on 54 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · clipboards CC BY
54 verified observations of bats in North Dakota, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
August
23 records (42.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| Aprilpeak | 5 | 9.3% |
| May | 5 | 9.3% |
| Junepeak | 6 | 11.1% |
| July | 5 | 9.3% |
| Augustpeak | 23 | 42.6% |
| September | 5 | 9.3% |
| October | 4 | 7.4% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 1.9% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 10 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 7 |
| Little Brown Bat | 6 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 4 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 28 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in North Dakota peak in August, when 23 of the year's 54 verified observations are logged — about 42.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when bats are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Silver-haired Bat and Little Brown 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in North Dakota?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, June and April, based on 54 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for bats in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are bats active year-round in North Dakota?+
Bats are recorded in 8 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around August and June.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in North Dakota