Squirrels in South Dakota in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see squirrels in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,133 of the 4,702 sightings logged across the year (24.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

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

Black-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South DakotaBlack-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South DakotaBlack-tailed Prairie Dog photographed in South Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for squirrels in South Dakota

24.1%

of yearly sightings

1,133

records in June

#1

busiest month of 12

4,702

verified records a year

May 13.1%, June 24.1%, July 22.1%. Busiest month is June at 24.1%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

4,702 verified observations of squirrels in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When squirrels are recorded in South Dakota

Peak month

June

1,133 records (24.1% of the year)

Quietest month

February

35 records

MonthObservationsShare
January370.8%
February350.7%
March871.9%
April2054.4%
May61513.1%
Junepeak1,13324.1%
Julypeak1,03722.1%
Augustpeak63613.5%
September53511.4%
October2435.2%
November821.7%
December571.2%

Squirrels you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Black-tailed Prairie Dog2,477
Least Chipmunk749
Eastern Fox Squirrel462
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel341
American Red Squirrel287
Yellow-bellied Marmot216
Richardson's Ground Squirrel70
Groundhog45

In South Dakota, June carries 24.1% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 15.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from May (13.1%) into June, and it heads toward July (22.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The squirrels most often recorded in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which squirrels you are most likely to see

  • Black-tailed Prairie Dog2,477 records
  • Least Chipmunk749 records
  • Eastern Fox Squirrel462 records
  • Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel341 records
  • American Red Squirrel287 records
  • Yellow-bellied Marmot216 records
Plan your tripBadlands National Park

Plan your squirrel 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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see squirrels in South Dakota in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 1,133 of the 4,702 verified squirrels sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 24.1% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see squirrels in South Dakota?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.

What month is best for squirrels in South Dakota?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 4,702 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.