Snakes in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 512 of the 2,246 sightings logged across the year (22.8%), 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 snakes in South Dakota
22.8%
of yearly sightings
512
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
2,246
verified records a year
April 3.7%, May 22.8%, June 24%. Busiest month is June at 24%.
2,246 verified observations of snakes in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
538 records (24% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.1% |
| February | 4 | 0.2% |
| March | 11 | 0.5% |
| April | 82 | 3.7% |
| Maypeak | 512 | 22.8% |
| Junepeak | 538 | 24% |
| Julypeak | 347 | 15.4% |
| August | 292 | 13% |
| September | 297 | 13.2% |
| October | 143 | 6.4% |
| November | 14 | 0.6% |
| December | 3 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Plains Garter Snake | 477 |
| Gopher Snake | 335 |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | 294 |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | 200 |
| North American Racer | 186 |
| Common Garter Snake | 166 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 120 |
| Western Foxsnake | 107 |
In South Dakota, May carries 22.8% of the year's snakes sightings, about 14.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (24%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in South Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake. 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 snakes you are most likely to see
- Plains Garter Snake477 records
- Gopher Snake335 records
- Prairie Rattlesnake294 records
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake200 records
- North American Racer186 records
- Common Garter Snake166 records
Plan your snake 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 snake viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Badlands National Park
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in South Dakota
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 512 of the 2,246 verified snakes sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 22.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for snakes in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 2,246 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Plains Garter Snake, Gopher Snake and Prairie Rattlesnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in South Dakota in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in South Dakota