Bats in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bats in South Dakota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 26 of the 155 sightings logged across the year (16.8%), 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 bats in South Dakota
16.8%
of yearly sightings
26
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
155
verified records a year
April 3.9%, May 16.8%, June 11.6%. Busiest month is August at 28.4%.
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 |
In South Dakota, May carries 16.8% of the year's bats sightings, about 8.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bats most often recorded in South Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Western Small-footed Myotis and Little Brown Bat. 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 bats you are most likely to see
- Big Brown Bat39 records
- Western Small-footed Myotis28 records
- Little Brown Bat9 records
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat6 records
- Eastern Red Bat5 records
- Silver-haired Bat5 records
Plan your bat 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 bat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in South Dakota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bats in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 26 of the 155 verified bats sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 16.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and May.
What month is best for bats in South Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and May, based on 155 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Big Brown Bat, Western Small-footed Myotis and Little Brown Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in South Dakota in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in South Dakota