Bees in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in South Dakota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 641 of the 5,421 sightings logged across the year (11.8%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for bees in South Dakota
11.8%
of yearly sightings
641
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
5,421
verified records a year
April 2.8%, May 11.8%, June 19.1%. 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, May carries 11.8% of the year's bees sightings, about 3.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (19.1%) after. The busiest month is August (25.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 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 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 641 of the 5,421 verified bees sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 11.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in South Dakota?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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