Snakes in South Dakota in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 297 of the 2,246 sightings logged across the year (13.2%), 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 snakes in South Dakota
13.2%
of yearly sightings
297
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
2,246
verified records a year
August 13%, September 13.2%, October 6.4%. 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, September carries 13.2% of the year's snakes sightings, about 4.9 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 holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (6.4%) after. The busiest month is June (24%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in South Dakota in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 297 of the 2,246 verified snakes sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 13.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in South Dakota?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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