Mountain Goats in South Dakota in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see mountain goats in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 77 of the 405 sightings logged across the year (19%), 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.
Peak month for mountain goats in South Dakota
19%
of yearly sightings
77
records in September
#1
busiest month of 12
405
verified records a year
August 11.9%, September 19%, October 11.9%. 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, September carries 19% of the year's mountain goats sightings, about 10.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from August (11.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (11.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The mountain goats most often recorded in South Dakota are Mountain Goat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 77 of the 405 verified mountain goats sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 19% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see mountain goats in South Dakota?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, June and July.
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