Coyotes in South Dakota in August
Yes, August is a good month to see coyotes in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 48 of the 420 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), 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 coyotes in South Dakota
11.4%
of yearly sightings
48
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
420
verified records a year
July 10.2%, August 11.4%, September 12.6%. Busiest month is May at 16%.
420 verified observations of coyotes in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When coyotes are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
May
67 records (16% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 2.4% |
| February | 21 | 5% |
| March | 19 | 4.5% |
| April | 42 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 67 | 16% |
| Junepeak | 65 | 15.5% |
| July | 43 | 10.2% |
| August | 48 | 11.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 53 | 12.6% |
| October | 28 | 6.7% |
| November | 13 | 3.1% |
| December | 11 | 2.6% |
Coyotes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Coyote | 420 |
In South Dakota, August carries 11.4% of the year's coyotes sightings, about 3.1 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 July (10.2%) into August, and it heads toward September (12.6%) after. The busiest month is May (16%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The coyotes most often recorded in South Dakota are Coyote. 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 coyotes you are most likely to see
- Coyote420 records
Plan your coyote 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 coyote viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best coyote viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a coyote 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 coyotes in South Dakota in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 48 of the 420 verified coyotes sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see coyotes in South Dakota?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for coyotes in South Dakota?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and September, based on 420 verified observations.
Which coyotes are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Coyote, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See coyotes in South Dakota in other months
More places to see coyotes
More wildlife in South Dakota