Best Time to See Squirrels in North Dakota
June, July and May is the best time to see squirrels in North Dakota. Based on 1,886 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when squirrels 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.
Black-tailed Prairie Dog · Patrick Jackson CC BY
Eastern Fox Squirrel · Public domain CC0
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel · Esben Kjaer CC BY
1,886 verified observations of squirrels in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
390 records (20.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26 | 1.4% |
| February | 24 | 1.3% |
| March | 44 | 2.3% |
| April | 108 | 5.7% |
| Maypeak | 284 | 15.1% |
| Junepeak | 390 | 20.7% |
| Julypeak | 369 | 19.6% |
| August | 278 | 14.7% |
| September | 194 | 10.3% |
| October | 76 | 4% |
| November | 47 | 2.5% |
| December | 46 | 2.4% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | 885 |
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | 277 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 190 |
| Richardson's Ground Squirrel | 171 |
| American Red Squirrel | 116 |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 90 |
| Least Chipmunk | 42 |
| Franklin's Ground Squirrel | 32 |
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 squirrels are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for squirrels 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 squirrels in North Dakota:
Sightings of squirrels in North Dakota peak in June, when 390 of the year's 1,886 verified observations are logged — about 20.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when squirrels are hardest to find — February sees just 24 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The squirrels you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel and Eastern Fox Squirrel — 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 squirrels 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 squirrels in North Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 1,886 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are squirrels hardest to see in North Dakota?+
February is the quietest month for squirrels in North Dakota, with only 24 verified records.
Are squirrels active year-round in North Dakota?+
Squirrels are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see squirrels
More wildlife in North Dakota