Best Time to See Bees in North Dakota
August, July and June is the best time to see bees in North Dakota. Based on 4,497 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees 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 June 28, 2026.
Hunt's Bumble Bee · earl woolsey CC BY
Yellow-banded Bumble Bee · earl woolsey CC BY
Yellow-banded Bumble Bee · earl woolsey CC BY
4,497 verified observations of bees in North Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
August
1,348 records (30% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0% |
| April | 46 | 1% |
| May | 330 | 7.3% |
| Junepeak | 958 | 21.3% |
| Julypeak | 1,155 | 25.7% |
| Augustpeak | 1,348 | 30% |
| September | 553 | 12.3% |
| October | 105 | 2.3% |
| November | 1 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 449 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 370 |
| Hunt's Bumble Bee | 325 |
| Western Honey Bee | 213 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 210 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 129 |
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 123 |
| Northern Amber Bumble Bee | 111 |
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 bees are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bees sit around 57 to 80 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" |
| Apr | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 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.
More on bees in North Dakota:
Sightings of bees in North Dakota peak in August, when 1,348 of the year's 4,497 verified observations are logged — about 30% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when bees 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 bees you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee and Hunt's Bumble Bee — 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 bees 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in North Dakota?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and June, based on 4,497 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for bees in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are bees active year-round in North Dakota?+
Bees are recorded in 9 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around August and July.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in North Dakota