Chipmunks in South Dakota in August

Yes, August is one of the best months to see chipmunks in South Dakota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 636 of the 4,684 sightings logged across the year (13.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Black-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South DakotaBlack-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South DakotaBlack-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for chipmunks in South Dakota

13.6%

of yearly sightings

636

records in August

#3

busiest month of 12

4,684

verified records a year

July 22.1%, August 13.6%, September 11.4%. Busiest month is June at 23.9%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

4,684 verified observations of chipmunks in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When chipmunks are recorded in South Dakota

Peak month

June

1,119 records (23.9% of the year)

Quietest month

February

35 records

MonthObservationsShare
January370.8%
February350.7%
March871.9%
April2054.4%
May61413.1%
Junepeak1,11923.9%
Julypeak1,03422.1%
Augustpeak63613.6%
September53511.4%
October2435.2%
November821.8%
December571.2%

Chipmunks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Black-tailed Prairie Dog2,464
Least Chipmunk748
Eastern Fox Squirrel459
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel339
American Red Squirrel285
Yellow-bellied Marmot216
Richardson's Ground Squirrel70
Groundhog45

In South Dakota, August carries 13.6% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 5.3 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 easing off from July (22.1%) into August, and it heads toward September (11.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The chipmunks most often recorded in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.

Which chipmunks you are most likely to see

  • Black-tailed Prairie Dog2,464 records
  • Least Chipmunk748 records
  • Eastern Fox Squirrel459 records
  • Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel339 records
  • American Red Squirrel285 records
  • Yellow-bellied Marmot216 records
Plan your tripBadlands National Park

Plan your chipmunk 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see chipmunks in South Dakota in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 636 of the 4,684 verified chipmunks sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 13.6% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see chipmunks in South Dakota?+

August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.

What month is best for chipmunks in South Dakota?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 4,684 verified observations.

Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+

The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.