Bears in Alaska in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Alaska. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 412 of the 1,755 sightings logged across the year (23.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Glacier Bear photographed in AlaskaAmerican Black Bear photographed in AlaskaAmerican Black Bear photographed in Alaska
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bears in Alaska

23.5%

of yearly sightings

412

records in July

#2

busiest month of 12

1,755

verified records a year

June 26.4%, July 23.5%, August 20.5%. Busiest month is June at 26.4%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
February00%
March20.1%
April311.8%
May28116%
Junepeak46326.4%
Julypeak41223.5%
Augustpeak35920.5%
September1669.5%
October372.1%
November40.2%
December00%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear1,755

In Alaska, July carries 23.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 15.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (26.4%) into July, and it heads toward August (20.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July 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 July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear1,755 records
Plan your tripAlagnak Wild River

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Alaska in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 412 of the 1,755 verified bears sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 23.5% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see bears in Alaska?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd 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.