Dragonflies in South Dakota in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,020 of the 3,141 sightings logged across the year (32.5%), 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 dragonflies in South Dakota
32.5%
of yearly sightings
1,020
records in July
#1
busiest month of 12
3,141
verified records a year
June 29%, July 32.5%, August 19.2%. Busiest month is July at 32.5%.
3,141 verified observations of dragonflies in South Dakota, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
July
1,020 records (32.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 3 | 0.1% |
| March | 6 | 0.2% |
| April | 42 | 1.3% |
| May | 158 | 5% |
| Junepeak | 910 | 29% |
| Julypeak | 1,020 | 32.5% |
| Augustpeak | 603 | 19.2% |
| September | 345 | 11% |
| October | 47 | 1.5% |
| November | 7 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 151 |
| Common Green Darner | 149 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 146 |
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 135 |
| Widow Skimmer | 132 |
| Eastern Forktail | 119 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 117 |
| Familiar Bluet | 87 |
In South Dakota, July carries 32.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 24.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (29%) into July, and it heads toward August (19.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in South Dakota are Common Whitetail, Common Green Darner and Twelve-spotted Skimmer. 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 dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Common Whitetail151 records
- Common Green Darner149 records
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer146 records
- Band-winged Meadowhawk135 records
- Widow Skimmer132 records
- Eastern Forktail119 records
Plan your dragonfly 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 dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly 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 dragonflies in South Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 1,020 of the 3,141 verified dragonflies sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 32.5% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see dragonflies in South Dakota?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and August.
What month is best for dragonflies in South Dakota?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 3,141 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Common Whitetail, Common Green Darner and Twelve-spotted Skimmer, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in South Dakota in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in South Dakota