Squirrels in Pennsylvania in May

Yes, May is one of the best months to see squirrels in Pennsylvania. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 3,985 of the 27,430 sightings logged across the year (14.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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.

Eastern Gray Squirrel photographed in PennsylvaniaNorthern Gray Squirrel photographed in PennsylvaniaEastern Gray Squirrel photographed in Pennsylvania
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for squirrels in Pennsylvania

14.5%

of yearly sightings

3,985

records in May

#1

busiest month of 12

27,430

verified records a year

April 14.1%, May 14.5%, June 12.7%. Busiest month is May at 14.5%.

Best months: May, April, September

27,430 verified observations of squirrels in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When squirrels are recorded in Pennsylvania

Peak month

May

3,985 records (14.5% of the year)

Quietest month

December

1,054 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1,0733.9%
February1,2914.7%
March1,8816.9%
Aprilpeak3,86414.1%
Maypeak3,98514.5%
June3,48812.7%
July1,8676.8%
August1,3334.9%
Septemberpeak3,80313.9%
October2,3908.7%
November1,4015.1%
December1,0543.8%

Squirrels you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel13,766
Eastern Chipmunk5,778
Groundhog4,535
American Red Squirrel1,563
Eastern Fox Squirrel1,053
Southern Flying Squirrel297
Northern Flying Squirrel19

In Pennsylvania, May carries 14.5% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 6.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (12.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The squirrels most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog. 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 squirrels you are most likely to see

  • Eastern Gray Squirrel13,766 records
  • Eastern Chipmunk5,778 records
  • Groundhog4,535 records
  • American Red Squirrel1,563 records
  • Eastern Fox Squirrel1,053 records
  • Southern Flying Squirrel297 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your squirrel trip in Pennsylvania

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see squirrels in Pennsylvania in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 3,985 of the 27,430 verified squirrels sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 14.5% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see squirrels in Pennsylvania?+

May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and September.

What month is best for squirrels in Pennsylvania?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and September, based on 27,430 verified observations.

Which squirrels are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+

The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.