Best Time to See Grizzly Bears in Alaska
July, August and June is the best time to see grizzly bears in Alaska. Based on 4,233 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when grizzly 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 July 10, 2026.
4,233 verified observations of grizzly bears in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When grizzly bears are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
1,238 records (29.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 12 | 0.3% |
| April | 32 | 0.8% |
| May | 315 | 7.4% |
| Junepeak | 879 | 20.8% |
| Julypeak | 1,238 | 29.2% |
| Augustpeak | 1,117 | 26.4% |
| September | 538 | 12.7% |
| October | 69 | 1.6% |
| November | 25 | 0.6% |
| December | 4 | 0.1% |
Grizzly Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Bear | 4,233 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when grizzly bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for grizzly 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.
More on grizzly bears in Alaska:
Sightings of grizzly bears in Alaska peak in July, when 1,238 of the year's 4,233 verified observations are logged — about 29.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when grizzly bears are hardest to find — January sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The grizzly bears you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Brown 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 grizzly 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
Go see them · Alaska
Aerial Tram and Wildlife Center tour from Anchorage
The most scenic tour. Travel south along the Seward Highway named one of the most scenic byways in North America taking in ocean & mountain views....
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Staying over? Compare places to stay near Alagnak Wild River
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see grizzly bears in Alaska?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 4,233 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are grizzly bears hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for grizzly bears in Alaska, with only 2 verified records.
Are grizzly bears active year-round in Alaska?+
Grizzly bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see grizzly bears
More wildlife in Alaska