Bears in Arkansas in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Arkansas. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 374 of the 1,630 sightings logged across the year (22.9%), 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.

American Black Bear photographed in ArkansasAmerican Black Bear photographed in ArkansasAmerican Black Bear photographed in Arkansas
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bears in Arkansas

22.9%

of yearly sightings

374

records in July

#1

busiest month of 12

1,630

verified records a year

June 7.7%, July 22.9%, August 15.3%. Busiest month is July at 22.9%.

Best months: July, October, AugustPeak season right now

1,630 verified observations of bears in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bears are recorded in Arkansas

Peak month

July

374 records (22.9% of the year)

Quietest month

February

4 records

MonthObservationsShare
January171%
February40.2%
March90.6%
April804.9%
May1126.9%
June1257.7%
Julypeak37422.9%
Augustpeak25015.3%
September25015.3%
Octoberpeak28017.2%
November825%
December472.9%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear1,630

In Arkansas, July carries 22.9% of the year's bears sightings, about 14.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from June (7.7%) into July, and it heads toward August (15.3%) 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 Arkansas 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 Bear1,630 records
Plan your tripArkansas Post National Memorial

Plan your bear trip in Arkansas

Start with live tours near Arkansas Post National Memorial, 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 Arkansas in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 374 of the 1,630 verified bears sightings logged in Arkansas across the year, which is 22.9% of the annual total.

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

July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, October and August.

What month is best for bears in Arkansas?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, October and August, based on 1,630 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Arkansas?+

The most-recorded species in Arkansas are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.