Chipmunks in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see chipmunks in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 614 of the 4,684 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), 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.
Good month for chipmunks in South Dakota
13.1%
of yearly sightings
614
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
4,684
verified records a year
April 4.4%, May 13.1%, June 23.9%. Busiest month is June at 23.9%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 0.8% |
| February | 35 | 0.7% |
| March | 87 | 1.9% |
| April | 205 | 4.4% |
| May | 614 | 13.1% |
| Junepeak | 1,119 | 23.9% |
| Julypeak | 1,034 | 22.1% |
| Augustpeak | 636 | 13.6% |
| September | 535 | 11.4% |
| October | 243 | 5.2% |
| November | 82 | 1.8% |
| December | 57 | 1.2% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | 2,464 |
| Least Chipmunk | 748 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 459 |
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | 339 |
| American Red Squirrel | 285 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 216 |
| Richardson's Ground Squirrel | 70 |
| Groundhog | 45 |
In South Dakota, May carries 13.1% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (23.9%) after. The busiest month is June (23.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 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 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 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.
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 chipmunk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a chipmunk 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 chipmunks in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 614 of the 4,684 verified chipmunks sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see chipmunks in South Dakota?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See chipmunks in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota