Best Time to See Bears in Alaska
June, July and August is the best time to see bears in Alaska. Based on 1,755 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
American Black Bear · Matt Muir CC BY
American Black Bear · Matt Muir CC BY
American Black Bear · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
1,755 verified observations of bears in Alaska, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
463 records (26.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0.1% |
| April | 31 | 1.8% |
| May | 281 | 16% |
| Junepeak | 463 | 26.4% |
| Julypeak | 412 | 23.5% |
| Augustpeak | 359 | 20.5% |
| September | 166 | 9.5% |
| October | 37 | 2.1% |
| November | 4 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,755 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 50 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bears in Alaska peak in June, when 463 of the year's 1,755 verified observations are logged — about 26.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when bears 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 bears you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are American Black Bear — 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 bears in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Alaska?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 1,755 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for bears in Alaska, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are bears active year-round in Alaska?+
Bears are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Alaska, concentrated around June and July.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Alaska