Best Time to See Tree Frogs in South Dakota
May, June and July is the best time to see tree frogs in South Dakota. Based on 329 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when tree frogs are most active across the year in South Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Boreal Chorus Frog · Anne C Lewis CC BY
Boreal Chorus Frog · Public domain CC0
Boreal Chorus Frog · Public domain CC0
329 verified observations of tree frogs in South Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When tree frogs are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
May
68 records (20.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 1.2% |
| April | 41 | 12.5% |
| Maypeak | 68 | 20.7% |
| Junepeak | 68 | 20.7% |
| Julypeak | 59 | 17.9% |
| August | 47 | 14.3% |
| September | 26 | 7.9% |
| October | 11 | 3.3% |
| November | 5 | 1.5% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Tree Frogs you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Boreal Chorus Frog | 225 |
| Cope's Gray Tree Frog | 64 |
| Blanchard's Cricket Frog | 31 |
| Gray Treefrog | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when tree frogs are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for tree frogs sit around 49 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on tree frogs in South Dakota:
Sightings of tree frogs in South Dakota peak in May, when 68 of the year's 329 verified observations are logged — about 20.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when tree frogs are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The tree frogs you are most likely to encounter in South Dakota are Boreal Chorus Frog, Cope's Gray Tree Frog and Blanchard's Cricket Frog — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see tree frogs in South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see tree frogs in South Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 329 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are tree frogs hardest to see in South Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for tree frogs in South Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are tree frogs active year-round in South Dakota?+
Tree frogs are recorded in 9 of 12 months in South Dakota, concentrated around May and June.
More places to see tree frogs
More wildlife in South Dakota