Chipmunks in Tennessee in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see chipmunks in Tennessee. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,358 of the 10,837 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), 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.
Peak month for chipmunks in Tennessee
12.5%
of yearly sightings
1,358
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
10,837
verified records a year
April 16.7%, May 12.5%, June 8.9%. Busiest month is April at 16.7%.
10,837 verified observations of chipmunks in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When chipmunks are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
April
1,805 records (16.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 525 | 4.8% |
| February | 892 | 8.2% |
| Marchpeak | 1,091 | 10.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,805 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 1,358 | 12.5% |
| June | 966 | 8.9% |
| July | 544 | 5% |
| August | 513 | 4.7% |
| September | 729 | 6.7% |
| October | 1,044 | 9.6% |
| November | 774 | 7.1% |
| December | 596 | 5.5% |
Chipmunks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | 6,805 |
| Groundhog | 1,608 |
| Eastern Chipmunk | 1,371 |
| American Red Squirrel | 451 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 337 |
| Southern Flying Squirrel | 153 |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | 3 |
In Tennessee, May carries 12.5% of the year's chipmunks sightings, about 4.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (16.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The chipmunks most often recorded in Tennessee are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Groundhog and Eastern Chipmunk. 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 chipmunks you are most likely to see
- Eastern Gray Squirrel6,805 records
- Groundhog1,608 records
- Eastern Chipmunk1,371 records
- American Red Squirrel451 records
- Eastern Fox Squirrel337 records
- Southern Flying Squirrel153 records
Plan your chipmunk trip in Tennessee
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main chipmunk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best chipmunk viewing area in Tennessee.
Viator
Broader backupBook a chipmunk tour in Tennessee
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see chipmunks in Tennessee in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,358 of the 10,837 verified chipmunks sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see chipmunks in Tennessee?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for chipmunks in Tennessee?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 10,837 verified observations.
Which chipmunks are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Groundhog and Eastern Chipmunk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See chipmunks in Tennessee in other months
More wildlife in Tennessee