Best Time to See Bats in Virginia
July, June and April is the best time to see bats in Virginia. Based on 1,613 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Eastern Red Bat · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
Big Brown Bat · Julia Beach CC BY
Eastern Red Bat · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
1,613 verified observations of bats in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
July
237 records (14.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 45 | 2.8% |
| February | 77 | 4.8% |
| March | 112 | 6.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 191 | 11.8% |
| May | 157 | 9.7% |
| Junepeak | 224 | 13.9% |
| Julypeak | 237 | 14.7% |
| August | 182 | 11.3% |
| September | 118 | 7.3% |
| October | 118 | 7.3% |
| November | 84 | 5.2% |
| December | 68 | 4.2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 351 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 339 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 154 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 141 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 97 |
| Evening Bat | 63 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 31 |
| Little Brown Bat | 17 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 46 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in Virginia:
Sightings of bats in Virginia peak in July, when 237 of the year's 1,613 verified observations are logged — about 14.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 45 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Tri-coloured Bat — 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 bats in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Virginia?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and April, based on 1,613 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for bats in Virginia, with only 45 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Virginia?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Virginia