Best Time to See Bats in Oklahoma

April, February and December is the best time to see bats in Oklahoma. Based on 981 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Oklahoma.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Mexican Free-tailed Bat photographed in Oklahoma

Mexican Free-tailed Bat · Ansil B.R. CC BY

Mexican Free-tailed Bat photographed in Oklahoma

Mexican Free-tailed Bat · Ansil B.R. CC BY

Big Brown Bat photographed in Oklahoma

Big Brown Bat · Cody Delano CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, February, December

981 verified observations of bats in Oklahoma, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in Oklahoma

Peak month

April

116 records (11.8% of the year)

Quietest month

January

44 records

MonthObservationsShare
January444.5%
Februarypeak9810%
March959.7%
Aprilpeak11611.8%
May656.6%
June858.7%
July889%
August626.3%
September737.4%
October828.4%
November767.7%
Decemberpeak979.9%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat334
Tri-coloured Bat202
Eastern Red Bat87
Cave Myotis71
Mexican Free-tailed Bat35
Evening Bat32
Gray Bat24
Townsend's Big-eared Bat24

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Oklahoma

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 29 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan51°F30°F1.3"
Febbest time51°F29°F1.4"
Mar63°F41°F2.1"
Aprbest time72°F50°F2.6"
May80°F60°F5"
Jun89°F69°F2.9"
Jul95°F74°F1.4"
Aug94°F74°F1.5"
Sep88°F68°F1.8"
Oct73°F52°F2.5"
Nov61°F41°F1.3"
Decbest time55°F35°F1.7"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oklahoma. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of bats in Oklahoma peak in April, when 116 of the year's 981 verified observations are logged — about 11.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, February and December.

The quietest stretch is January, August and May, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 44 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The bats you are most likely to encounter in Oklahoma are Big Brown Bat, Tri-coloured Bat and Eastern Red Bat — 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 bats in Oklahoma

  • Chickasaw National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Butterfield Overland National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Fort Smith National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
  • Oklahoma City National MemorialNational Memorial
  • Santa Fe National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Trail Of Tears National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bats in Oklahoma?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, February and December, based on 981 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bats hardest to see in Oklahoma?+

January is the quietest month for bats in Oklahoma, with only 44 verified records.

Are bats active year-round in Oklahoma?+

Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oklahoma, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.