Snakes in North Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in North Dakota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 162 of the 919 sightings logged across the year (17.6%), 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 snakes in North Dakota
17.6%
of yearly sightings
162
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
919
verified records a year
April 2.4%, May 17.6%, June 27%. Busiest month is June at 27%.
919 verified observations of snakes in North Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
248 records (27% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 0.4% |
| April | 22 | 2.4% |
| Maypeak | 162 | 17.6% |
| Junepeak | 248 | 27% |
| Julypeak | 212 | 23.1% |
| August | 136 | 14.8% |
| September | 109 | 11.9% |
| October | 23 | 2.5% |
| November | 3 | 0.3% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Plains Garter Snake | 219 |
| Gopher Snake | 199 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 95 |
| North American Racer | 77 |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard | 76 |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | 75 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 67 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 39 |
In North Dakota, May carries 17.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 9.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (27%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in North Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake. 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 snakes you are most likely to see
- Plains Garter Snake219 records
- Gopher Snake199 records
- Prairie Rattlesnake95 records
- North American Racer77 records
- Greater Short-horned Lizard76 records
- Common Sagebrush Lizard75 records
Plan your snake 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.
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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 snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in North Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 162 of the 919 verified snakes sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 17.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in North Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for snakes in North Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 919 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in North Dakota in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in North Dakota