Bats in North Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in North Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 5 of the 54 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for bats in North Dakota
9.3%
of yearly sightings
5
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
54
verified records a year
April 9.3%, May 9.3%, June 11.1%. Busiest month is August at 42.6%.
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 |
In North Dakota, May carries 9.3% of the year's bats sightings, about 1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 8 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (11.1%) after. The busiest month is August (42.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in North Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Silver-haired Bat and Little Brown Bat. 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 bats you are most likely to see
- Big Brown Bat10 records
- Silver-haired Bat7 records
- Little Brown Bat6 records
- Eastern Red Bat4 records
- Northern Hoary Bat1 records
Plan your bat trip in North Dakota
Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in North Dakota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bats in North Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5 of the 54 verified bats sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in North Dakota?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in North Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and April, based on 54 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Silver-haired Bat and Little Brown Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in North Dakota in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in North Dakota