Bees in South Dakota in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bees in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,224 of the 5,421 sightings logged across the year (22.6%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bees in South Dakota
22.6%
of yearly sightings
1,224
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
5,421
verified records a year
June 19.1%, July 22.6%, August 25.1%. Busiest month is August at 25.1%.
5,421 verified observations of bees in South Dakota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
August
1,362 records (25.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.1% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 0.1% |
| April | 151 | 2.8% |
| May | 641 | 11.8% |
| Junepeak | 1,037 | 19.1% |
| Julypeak | 1,224 | 22.6% |
| Augustpeak | 1,362 | 25.1% |
| September | 836 | 15.4% |
| October | 124 | 2.3% |
| November | 19 | 0.4% |
| December | 20 | 0.4% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 818 |
| American Bumble Bee | 518 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 390 |
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 354 |
| Western Honey Bee | 287 |
| Hunt's Bumble Bee | 243 |
| Half-black Bumble Bee | 151 |
| Two-spotted Longhorn Bee | 96 |
In South Dakota, July carries 22.6% of the year's bees sightings, about 14.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (19.1%) into July, and it heads toward August (25.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bees most often recorded in South Dakota are Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee818 records
- American Bumble Bee518 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee390 records
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee354 records
- Western Honey Bee287 records
- Hunt's Bumble Bee243 records
Plan your bee 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 bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a bee 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 bees in South Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 1,224 of the 5,421 verified bees sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 22.6% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bees in South Dakota?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and June.
What month is best for bees in South Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 5,421 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota