Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in South Dakota
June, July and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in South Dakota. Based on 494 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures 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 July 20, 2026.
Turkey Vulture · Anne C Lewis CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Marilynn Miller CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Anne C Lewis CC BY
494 verified observations of turkey vultures in South Dakota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
96 records (19.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0.2% |
| April | 76 | 15.4% |
| Maypeak | 88 | 17.8% |
| Junepeak | 96 | 19.4% |
| Julypeak | 95 | 19.2% |
| August | 63 | 12.8% |
| September | 68 | 13.8% |
| October | 6 | 1.2% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 0.2% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 494 |
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 turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures 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.
Sightings of turkey vultures in South Dakota peak in June, when 96 of the year's 494 verified observations are logged — about 19.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and November, when turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in South Dakota are Turkey Vulture — 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 turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in South Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 494 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in South Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in South Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in South Dakota?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 9 of 12 months in South Dakota, concentrated around June and July.
More wildlife in South Dakota