Raccoons in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see raccoons in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 16 of the 103 sightings logged across the year (15.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for raccoons in South Dakota
15.5%
of yearly sightings
16
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
103
verified records a year
April 14.6%, May 15.5%, June 14.6%. Busiest month is May at 15.5%.
103 verified observations of raccoons in South Dakota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When raccoons are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
May
16 records (15.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 5 | 4.9% |
| March | 8 | 7.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 15 | 14.6% |
| Maypeak | 16 | 15.5% |
| June | 15 | 14.6% |
| July | 12 | 11.7% |
| August | 7 | 6.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 16 | 15.5% |
| October | 2 | 1.9% |
| November | 5 | 4.9% |
| December | 2 | 1.9% |
Raccoons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Raccoon | 103 |
In South Dakota, May carries 15.5% of the year's raccoons sightings, about 7.2 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (14.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The raccoons most often recorded in South Dakota are Common Raccoon. 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 raccoons you are most likely to see
- Common Raccoon103 records
Plan your raccoon 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 raccoon viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best raccoon viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a raccoon 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 raccoons in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 16 of the 103 verified raccoons sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 15.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see raccoons in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, September and April.
What month is best for raccoons in South Dakota?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, September and April, based on 103 verified observations.
Which raccoons are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Common Raccoon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See raccoons in South Dakota in other months
More places to see raccoons
More wildlife in South Dakota