Tree Frogs in South Dakota in May

Yes, May is one of the best months to see tree frogs in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 68 of the 329 sightings logged across the year (20.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 photographed in South DakotaBoreal Chorus Frog photographed in South DakotaBoreal Chorus Frog photographed in South Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for tree frogs in South Dakota

20.7%

of yearly sightings

68

records in May

#1

busiest month of 12

329

verified records a year

April 12.5%, May 20.7%, June 20.7%. Busiest month is May at 20.7%.

Best months: May, June, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
February00%
March41.2%
April4112.5%
Maypeak6820.7%
Junepeak6820.7%
Julypeak5917.9%
August4714.3%
September267.9%
October113.3%
November51.5%
December00%

Tree Frogs you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Boreal Chorus Frog225
Cope's Gray Tree Frog64
Blanchard's Cricket Frog31
Gray Treefrog1

In South Dakota, May carries 20.7% of the year's tree frogs sightings, about 12.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from April (12.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The tree frogs most often recorded in South Dakota are Boreal Chorus Frog, Cope's Gray Tree Frog and Blanchard's Cricket Frog. 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 tree frogs you are most likely to see

  • Boreal Chorus Frog225 records
  • Cope's Gray Tree Frog64 records
  • Blanchard's Cricket Frog31 records
  • Gray Treefrog1 records
Plan your tripBadlands National Park

Plan your tree frog 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see tree frogs in South Dakota in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 68 of the 329 verified tree frogs sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 20.7% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see tree frogs in South Dakota?+

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

What month is best for tree frogs in South Dakota?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 329 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Boreal Chorus Frog, Cope's Gray Tree Frog and Blanchard's Cricket Frog, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.