Mountain Goats in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see mountain goats in South Dakota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 45 of the 405 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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 mountain goats in South Dakota
11.1%
of yearly sightings
45
records in May
#6
busiest month of 12
405
verified records a year
April 5.7%, May 11.1%, June 17.8%. Busiest month is September at 19%.
405 verified observations of mountain goats in South Dakota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain goats are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
September
77 records (19% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.5% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 15 | 3.7% |
| April | 23 | 5.7% |
| May | 45 | 11.1% |
| Junepeak | 72 | 17.8% |
| Julypeak | 61 | 15.1% |
| August | 48 | 11.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 77 | 19% |
| October | 48 | 11.9% |
| November | 11 | 2.7% |
| December | 3 | 0.7% |
Mountain Goats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Goat | 405 |
In South Dakota, May carries 11.1% of the year's mountain goats sightings, about 2.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.8%) after. The busiest month is September (19%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The mountain goats most often recorded in South Dakota are Mountain Goat. 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 mountain goats you are most likely to see
- Mountain Goat405 records
Plan your mountain goat 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.
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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 mountain goat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best mountain goat viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a mountain goat tour in South Dakota
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see mountain goats in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 45 of the 405 verified mountain goats sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see mountain goats in South Dakota?+
May is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though September and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for mountain goats in South Dakota?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, June and July, based on 405 verified observations.
Which mountain goats are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Mountain Goat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See mountain goats in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota