Rabbits in South Dakota in April

Yes, April is a good month to see rabbits in South Dakota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 101 of the 1,215 sightings logged across the year (8.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

White-tailed Jackrabbit photographed in South DakotaMountain Cottontail photographed in South DakotaWhite-tailed Jackrabbit photographed in South Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for rabbits in South Dakota

8.3%

of yearly sightings

101

records in April

#6

busiest month of 12

1,215

verified records a year

March 1.9%, April 8.3%, May 18.1%. Busiest month is June at 23.7%.

Best months: June, May, JulyPeak season right now

1,215 verified observations of rabbits in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When rabbits are recorded in South Dakota

Peak month

June

288 records (23.7% of the year)

Quietest month

February

10 records

MonthObservationsShare
January181.5%
February100.8%
March231.9%
April1018.3%
Maypeak22018.1%
Junepeak28823.7%
Julypeak21317.5%
August14912.3%
September1028.4%
October383.1%
November231.9%
December302.5%

Rabbits you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Cottontail489
Desert Cottontail231
Mountain Cottontail154
White-tailed Jackrabbit60
European Rabbit3
Snowshoe Hare1

In South Dakota, April carries 8.3% of the year's rabbits sightings, about 0 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (1.9%) into April, and it heads toward May (18.1%) after. The busiest month is June (23.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The rabbits most often recorded in South Dakota are Eastern Cottontail, Desert Cottontail and Mountain Cottontail. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which rabbits you are most likely to see

  • Eastern Cottontail489 records
  • Desert Cottontail231 records
  • Mountain Cottontail154 records
  • White-tailed Jackrabbit60 records
  • European Rabbit3 records
  • Snowshoe Hare1 records
Plan your tripBadlands National Park

Plan your rabbit 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see rabbits in South Dakota in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 101 of the 1,215 verified rabbits sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 8.3% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see rabbits in South Dakota?+

April is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for rabbits in South Dakota?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 1,215 verified observations.

Which rabbits are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+

The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Eastern Cottontail, Desert Cottontail and Mountain Cottontail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.