Best Time to See Pelicans in South Dakota
April, May and June is the best time to see pelicans in South Dakota. Based on 444 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in South Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
American White Pelican · Public domain CC0
American White Pelican · Curtis Meyers CC BY-SA
American White Pelican · Public domain CC0
444 verified observations of pelicans in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
April
110 records (24.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.2% |
| February | 1 | 0.2% |
| March | 19 | 4.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 110 | 24.8% |
| Maypeak | 104 | 23.4% |
| Junepeak | 76 | 17.1% |
| July | 47 | 10.6% |
| August | 38 | 8.6% |
| September | 31 | 7% |
| October | 10 | 2.3% |
| November | 5 | 1.1% |
| December | 2 | 0.5% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 442 |
| Brown Pelican | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 34 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Aprbest time | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on pelicans in South Dakota:
Sightings of pelicans in South Dakota peak in April, when 110 of the year's 444 verified observations are logged — about 24.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when pelicans are hardest to find — January sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in South Dakota are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see pelicans in South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in South Dakota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 444 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in South Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for pelicans in South Dakota, with only 1 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in South Dakota?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in South Dakota