Grizzly Bears in Alaska in September
Yes, September is a good month to see grizzly bears in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 538 of the 4,233 sightings logged across the year (12.7%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for grizzly bears in Alaska
12.7%
of yearly sightings
538
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
4,233
verified records a year
August 26.4%, September 12.7%, October 1.6%. Busiest month is July at 29.2%.
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 |
In Alaska, September carries 12.7% of the year's grizzly bears sightings, about 4.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (26.4%) into September, and it heads toward October (1.6%) after. The busiest month is July (29.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The grizzly bears most often recorded in Alaska are Brown 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 grizzly bears you are most likely to see
- Brown Bear4,233 records
Plan your grizzly 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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Frequently asked questions
Can you see grizzly bears in Alaska in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 538 of the 4,233 verified grizzly bears sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 12.7% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see grizzly bears in Alaska?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for grizzly bears in Alaska?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 4,233 verified observations.
Which grizzly bears are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Brown Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See grizzly bears in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska