Frogs in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see frogs in South Dakota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 316 of the 2,456 sightings logged across the year (12.9%), 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 frogs in South Dakota
12.9%
of yearly sightings
316
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
2,456
verified records a year
April 3.3%, May 12.9%, June 20.5%. Busiest month is June at 20.5%.
2,456 verified observations of frogs in South Dakota, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When frogs are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
503 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 14 | 0.6% |
| April | 81 | 3.3% |
| May | 316 | 12.9% |
| Junepeak | 503 | 20.5% |
| Julypeak | 500 | 20.4% |
| August | 485 | 19.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 490 | 20% |
| October | 57 | 2.3% |
| November | 9 | 0.4% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Frogs you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | 750 |
| Woodhouse's Toad | 472 |
| American Toad | 318 |
| Boreal Chorus Frog | 225 |
| Great Plains Toad | 203 |
| American Bullfrog | 127 |
| Canadian Toad | 94 |
| Cope's Gray Tree Frog | 64 |
In South Dakota, May carries 12.9% of the year's frogs sightings, about 4.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.5%) after. The busiest month is June (20.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The frogs most often recorded in South Dakota are Northern Leopard Frog, Woodhouse's Toad and American Toad. 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 frogs you are most likely to see
- Northern Leopard Frog750 records
- Woodhouse's Toad472 records
- American Toad318 records
- Boreal Chorus Frog225 records
- Great Plains Toad203 records
- American Bullfrog127 records
Plan your frog 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 frog viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best frog viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a frog 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 frogs in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 316 of the 2,456 verified frogs sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 12.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see frogs in South Dakota?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for frogs in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and September, based on 2,456 verified observations.
Which frogs are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Northern Leopard Frog, Woodhouse's Toad and American Toad, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See frogs in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota