Best Time to See Bats in South Dakota
August, July and May is the best time to see bats in South Dakota. Based on 155 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in South Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · Jeff D Hansen CC BY
Big Brown Bat · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
Eastern Red Bat · Public domain CC0
155 verified observations of bats in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
August
44 records (28.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.6% |
| February | 4 | 2.6% |
| March | 4 | 2.6% |
| April | 6 | 3.9% |
| Maypeak | 26 | 16.8% |
| June | 18 | 11.6% |
| Julypeak | 30 | 19.4% |
| Augustpeak | 44 | 28.4% |
| September | 15 | 9.7% |
| October | 3 | 1.9% |
| November | 2 | 1.3% |
| December | 2 | 1.3% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 39 |
| Western Small-footed Myotis | 28 |
| Little Brown Bat | 9 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 6 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 5 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 5 |
| Fringed Myotis | 2 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Dakota
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 49 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Jun | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in South Dakota peak in August, when 44 of the year's 155 verified observations are logged — about 28.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and May.
The quietest stretch is January, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 1 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 South Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Western Small-footed Myotis and Little Brown 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 South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in South Dakota?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and May, based on 155 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in South Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for bats in South Dakota, with only 1 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in South Dakota?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in South Dakota