Bears in Alaska in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bears in Alaska. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 359 of the 1,755 sightings logged across the year (20.5%), 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 bears in Alaska
20.5%
of yearly sightings
359
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
1,755
verified records a year
July 23.5%, August 20.5%, September 9.5%. Busiest month is June at 26.4%.
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 |
In Alaska, August carries 20.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 12.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (23.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (9.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Alaska are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear1,755 records
Plan your bear trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Alaska in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 359 of the 1,755 verified bears sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 20.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in Alaska?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for bears in Alaska?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 1,755 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Alaska in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Alaska