Best Time to See Grizzly Bears in the US
July, June and August is the best time to see grizzly bears in the United States. This is a national picture built from 7,399 verified iNaturalist observations across 5 states, showing when and where grizzly bears are most active.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself.
7,399 verified observations of grizzly bears in the US, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When grizzly bears are recorded in the US
Peak month
July
1,765 records (23.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.1% |
| February | 4 | 0.1% |
| March | 23 | 0.3% |
| April | 88 | 1.2% |
| May | 1,075 | 14.5% |
| Junepeak | 1,649 | 22.3% |
| Julypeak | 1,765 | 23.9% |
| Augustpeak | 1,554 | 21% |
| September | 935 | 12.6% |
| October | 243 | 3.3% |
| November | 49 | 0.7% |
| December | 9 | 0.1% |
Grizzly Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Bear | 7,399 |
Across the country, grizzly bears sightings peak in July, when 1,765 of the 7,399 annual observations are logged, about 23.9% of the national total. Nationwide activity stays high through July, June and August.
The best states to see grizzly bears by recorded sightings are Alaska (4,233), Wyoming (2,448), Montana (703), Idaho (10) and Washington (5). Each state page below breaks the year down month by month for that state.
The grizzly bears you are most likely to encounter nationwide are Brown Bear, the most-recorded species across all states combined.
Best states to see grizzly bears
- grizzly bears in Alaska4,233 sightings, peak July
- grizzly bears in Wyoming2,448 sightings, peak May
- grizzly bears in Montana703 sightings, peak August
- grizzly bears in Idaho10 sightings, peak June
- grizzly bears in Washington5 sightings, peak May
Most-recorded grizzly bears species nationwide
- Brown Bear7,399 records
Plan your grizzly bear trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alaska, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alaska
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 Alaska
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best grizzly bear viewing area in Alaska.
Viator
Broader backupBook a grizzly bear tour in Alaska
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see grizzly bears in the US?+
July is the single best month nationwide, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 7,399 verified observations across 5 states.
Which states are best for seeing grizzly bears?+
By recorded sightings, the top states are Alaska, Wyoming and Montana. Alaska leads with 4,233 verified observations.
How many grizzly bears sightings are recorded in the US each year?+
About 7,399 verified grizzly bears observations are logged on iNaturalist across 5 states with enough data to chart a seasonal pattern.
What kinds of grizzly bears live in the US?+
The most-recorded species nationwide are Brown Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.