Grizzly Bear in Arizona: what to know before you start looking
Grizzly bears are extinct in Arizona, but black bears are common. If you're hoping to spot a bear in Arizona, you'll actually be looking for black bears. This guide covers how to identify them, where they live, and when your odds are best.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
- 16
- verified records
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
Only 0 verified observations on iNaturalist of grizzly bear have been logged in Arizona, which fits how rare they are in the state. That low number is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one here.
State
Arizona
Animal
Grizzly Bear
Route
State wildlife guide
Grizzly bears are extinct in Arizona, but black bears are common. If you're hoping to spot a bear in Arizona, you'll actually be looking for black bears. This guide covers how to identify them, where they live, and when your odds are best.
1. Are there any grizzly bears left in Arizona?
No. The last confirmed grizzly bear in Arizona was killed in the 1920s. The species was extirpated from the state due to habitat loss and hunting. Today, all bears you might encounter in Arizona are black bears. The two species look different: grizzlies have a prominent shoulder hump and a dished face, while black bears have a straight facial profile and no hump.
In Arizona, grizzly bear sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to likely habitat. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. What is the likely habitat for bears in Arizona?
Black bears in Arizona live mainly in forested mountain ranges: the Mogollon Rim, the White Mountains, the Sky Islands (like the Chiricahuas and Santa Catalinas), and the Kaibab Plateau. They prefer mixed conifer and oak woodlands above 5,000 feet. During summer, they move to higher elevations; during fall, they descend to find acorns and berries.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around best timing, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Arizona. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
3. What is the best timing for bear sightings?
Early morning and late evening from late spring through early fall. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk, especially in June and July when they forage for food. In winter, bears den and are rarely seen. The best months are May through October, with peak activity during berry and acorn seasons.
See ourGrizzly Bear trunkfor the next step.
4. What is one practical clue to tell a black bear from a grizzly?
Look at the shoulder hump and the face. Grizzlies have a prominent hump over the shoulders and a concave facial profile. Black bears have no hump and a straight, Roman-nose face. Also, grizzlies have longer, curved claws (about 2-4 inches) visible in tracks, while black bear claws are shorter and more curved for climbing.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
5. Where are the best places to look for black bears in Arizona?
Start with theArizona wildlifehotspots: the White Mountains near Greer and Alpine, the Mogollon Rim around Woods Canyon Lake, and the Chiricahua National Monument. TheGrizzly Bearpage has a map of historical grizzly range, but for live bear viewing, stick to black bear territory. Check with the Arizona Game and Fish for recent sightings.
6. How do I stay safe during a bear encounter?
If you see a black bear, do not run. Stand your ground, make yourself look big, and speak calmly. Back away slowly. Black bears usually bluff charge before retreating. Report aggressive bears to park rangers. Carry bear spray in bear country, especially in the White Mountains and along the Mogollon Rim.
7. What Easy Street Markets picks fit this page?
Grizzly Bear Mug - gift for him - Animal Lover Gift
A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability
Vintage 90s Bear Graphic T-Shirt
Roam free in the outdoors with this funky Boho Bear graphic tee from Wild Tribute. This incredibly soft shirt is made out of a tri-blend of quality materials.Check Price and Availability
Forest Animal Sticker Sheet, forest stickers, woodland animals, nature, bear, fox, owl, deer, planner, journal, calendar, bujo, scrapbooking
Die-cut vinyl bear and mountain silhouette sticker. Waterproof and weatherproof.Check Price and Availability
7. What should I bring for a bear-watching trip?
Binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and field guides. Wear neutral colors and avoid scented products. If you're hiking, stay on trails and make noise to avoid surprising a bear. For identification, bring a wildlife guide or use a phone app. After your trip, you might want to remember it with awildlife shirtthat celebrates bears.
Plan your grizzly bear trip in Arizona
Start with live tours near Chiricahua National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Chiricahua National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main grizzly bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Chiricahua National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best grizzly bear viewing area in Arizona.
Viator
Broader backupBook a grizzly bear tour in Arizona
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Plan your grizzly bear sighting in Arizona
16 verified grizzly bear records have been logged in Arizona, most recently in 1939. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Coronado National Memorial · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grand Canyon National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Montezuma Castle National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
1. Are there any grizzly bears left in Arizona?+
No. The last confirmed grizzly bear in Arizona was killed in the 1920s. The species was extirpated from the state due to habitat loss and hunting. Today, all bears you might encounter in Arizona are black bears. The two species look different: grizzlies have a prominent shoulder hump and a dished face, while black bears have a straight facial profile and no hump. In Arizona, grizzly bear sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to likely habitat. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. What is the likely habitat for bears in Arizona?+
Black bears in Arizona live mainly in forested mountain ranges: the Mogollon Rim, the White Mountains, the Sky Islands (like the Chiricahuas and Santa Catalinas), and the Kaibab Plateau. They prefer mixed conifer and oak woodlands above 5,000 feet. During summer, they move to higher elevations; during fall, they descend to find acorns and berries. Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around best timing, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Arizona. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
3. What is the best timing for bear sightings?+
Early morning and late evening from late spring through early fall. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk, especially in June and July when they forage for food. In winter, bears den and are rarely seen. The best months are May through October, with peak activity during berry and acorn seasons. See ourGrizzly Bear trunkfor the next step.
4. What is one practical clue to tell a black bear from a grizzly?+
Look at the shoulder hump and the face. Grizzlies have a prominent hump over the shoulders and a concave facial profile. Black bears have no hump and a straight, Roman-nose face. Also, grizzlies have longer, curved claws (about 2-4 inches) visible in tracks, while black bear claws are shorter and more curved for climbing. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
5. Where are the best places to look for black bears in Arizona?+
Start with theArizona wildlifehotspots: the White Mountains near Greer and Alpine, the Mogollon Rim around Woods Canyon Lake, and the Chiricahua National Monument. TheGrizzly Bearpage has a map of historical grizzly range, but for live bear viewing, stick to black bear territory. Check with the Arizona Game and Fish for recent sightings.
6. How do I stay safe during a bear encounter?+
If you see a black bear, do not run. Stand your ground, make yourself look big, and speak calmly. Back away slowly. Black bears usually bluff charge before retreating. Report aggressive bears to park rangers. Carry bear spray in bear country, especially in the White Mountains and along the Mogollon Rim.
7. What Easy Street Markets picks fit this page?+
### Grizzly Bear Mug - gift for him - Animal Lover Gift A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability ### Vintage 90s Bear Graphic T-Shirt Roam free in the outdoors with this funky Boho Bear graphic tee from Wild Tribute. This incredibly soft shirt is made out of a tri-blend of quality materials.Check Price and Availability ### Forest Animal Sticker Sheet, forest stickers, woodland animals, nature, bear, fox, owl, deer, planner, journal, calendar, bujo, scrapbooking Die-cut vinyl bear and mountain silhouette sticker. Waterproof and weatherproof.Check Price and Availability
7. What should I bring for a bear-watching trip?+
Binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and field guides. Wear neutral colors and avoid scented products. If you're hiking, stay on trails and make noise to avoid surprising a bear. For identification, bring a wildlife guide or use a phone app. After your trip, you might want to remember it with awildlife shirtthat celebrates bears.