Best Time to See Ticks in North Dakota
June, May and July is the best time to see ticks in North Dakota. Based on 160 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks 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 July 21, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
160 verified observations of ticks in North Dakota, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
71 records (44.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 8 | 5% |
| Maypeak | 55 | 34.4% |
| Junepeak | 71 | 44.4% |
| Julypeak | 18 | 11.3% |
| August | 6 | 3.8% |
| September | 1 | 0.6% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 1 | 0.6% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Dog Tick | 147 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 4 |
| Lone Star Tick | 1 |
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | 1 |
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 ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks 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.
Sightings of ticks in North Dakota peak in June, when 71 of the year's 160 verified observations are logged — about 44.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when ticks 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 ticks you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are American Dog Tick, Eastern Black-legged Tick and Lone Star Tick — 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 ticks 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 ticks in North Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 160 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are ticks active year-round in North Dakota?+
Ticks are recorded in 7 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around June and May.
More wildlife in North Dakota