Badgers in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see badgers in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 20 of the 125 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 badgers in South Dakota
16%
of yearly sightings
20
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
125
verified records a year
April 3.2%, May 16%, June 24.8%. Busiest month is June at 24.8%.
125 verified observations of badgers in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When badgers are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
31 records (24.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.8% |
| February | 1 | 0.8% |
| March | 4 | 3.2% |
| April | 4 | 3.2% |
| Maypeak | 20 | 16% |
| Junepeak | 31 | 24.8% |
| Julypeak | 20 | 16% |
| August | 19 | 15.2% |
| September | 11 | 8.8% |
| October | 4 | 3.2% |
| November | 7 | 5.6% |
| December | 3 | 2.4% |
Badgers you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Badger | 125 |
In South Dakota, May carries 16% of the year's badgers sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The badgers most often recorded in South Dakota are American Badger. 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 badgers you are most likely to see
- American Badger125 records
Plan your badger trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main badger viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best badger viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a badger tour in South Dakota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see badgers in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 20 of the 125 verified badgers sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see badgers in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for badgers in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 125 verified observations.
Which badgers are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are American Badger, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See badgers in South Dakota in other months
More places to see badgers
More wildlife in South Dakota