Pelicans in South Dakota in July
Yes, July is a good month to see pelicans in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 47 of the 444 sightings logged across the year (10.6%), 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 pelicans in South Dakota
10.6%
of yearly sightings
47
records in July
#4
busiest month of 12
444
verified records a year
June 17.1%, July 10.6%, August 8.6%. Busiest month is April at 24.8%.
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 |
In South Dakota, July carries 10.6% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (17.1%) into July, and it heads toward August (8.6%) after. The busiest month is April (24.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in South Dakota are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. 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 pelicans you are most likely to see
- American White Pelican442 records
- Brown Pelican2 records
Plan your pelican 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 pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a pelican 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 pelicans in South Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 47 of the 444 verified pelicans sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 10.6% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see pelicans in South Dakota?+
July is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in South Dakota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 444 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in South Dakota in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in South Dakota