Best Time to See Coyotes in North Dakota
May, July and June is the best time to see coyotes in North Dakota. Based on 234 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when coyotes 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.
234 verified observations of coyotes in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When coyotes are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
40 records (17.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 2.1% |
| February | 10 | 4.3% |
| March | 7 | 3% |
| April | 14 | 6% |
| Maypeak | 40 | 17.1% |
| Junepeak | 28 | 12% |
| Julypeak | 34 | 14.5% |
| August | 28 | 12% |
| September | 21 | 9% |
| October | 21 | 9% |
| November | 16 | 6.8% |
| December | 10 | 4.3% |
Coyotes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Coyote | 234 |
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 coyotes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for coyotes sit around 43 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" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 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 coyotes in North Dakota:
Sightings of coyotes in North Dakota peak in May, when 40 of the year's 234 verified observations are logged — about 17.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, July and June.
The quietest stretch is January and March, when coyotes are hardest to find — January sees just 5 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The coyotes you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Coyote — 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 coyotes 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 coyotes in North Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, July and June, based on 234 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are coyotes hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for coyotes in North Dakota, with only 5 verified records.
Are coyotes active year-round in North Dakota?+
Coyotes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see coyotes
More wildlife in North Dakota