Bears in Alaska in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bears in Alaska. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 166 of the 1,755 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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.
Good month for bears in Alaska
9.5%
of yearly sightings
166
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
1,755
verified records a year
August 20.5%, September 9.5%, October 2.1%. 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, September carries 9.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 1.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (20.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.1%) after. The busiest month is June (26.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Alaska are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Alaska
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Alaska in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 166 of the 1,755 verified bears sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bears in Alaska?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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