Best Time to See Bats in West Virginia
June, July and May is the best time to see bats in West Virginia. Based on 336 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in West Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · Public domain CC0
Tri-coloured Bat · C Fishtahler CC BY
Eastern Red Bat · Public domain CC0
336 verified observations of bats in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
June
58 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 1.8% |
| February | 31 | 9.2% |
| March | 31 | 9.2% |
| April | 17 | 5.1% |
| Maypeak | 39 | 11.6% |
| Junepeak | 58 | 17.3% |
| Julypeak | 51 | 15.2% |
| August | 27 | 8% |
| September | 27 | 8% |
| October | 25 | 7.4% |
| November | 12 | 3.6% |
| December | 12 | 3.6% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 79 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 43 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 42 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 17 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 15 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 14 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 14 |
| Little Brown Bat | 9 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in West 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 51 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| Feb | 46°F | 28°F | 5.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 34°F | 4.5" |
| Apr | 61°F | 41°F | 4.4" |
| Maybest time | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Julbest time | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Aug | 78°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 74°F | 57°F | 3.5" |
| Oct | 64°F | 48°F | 4.1" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for West Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in West Virginia peak in June, when 58 of the year's 336 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is January, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 6 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 West Virginia are Big Brown Bat, Tri-coloured Bat and Eastern Red 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 West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in West Virginia?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 336 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in West Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for bats in West Virginia, with only 6 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in West Virginia?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in West Virginia