Best Time to See Bears in Colorado
June, July and August is the best time to see bears in Colorado. Based on 2,340 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Colorado.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Pacific Black Bear · Jared Shorma CC BY
American Black Bear · Shalana Gray CC BY
American Black Bear · Samantha Knight CC BY
2,340 verified observations of bears in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
June
469 records (20% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 0.5% |
| February | 8 | 0.3% |
| March | 39 | 1.7% |
| April | 83 | 3.5% |
| May | 273 | 11.7% |
| Junepeak | 469 | 20% |
| Julypeak | 467 | 20% |
| Augustpeak | 434 | 18.5% |
| September | 338 | 14.4% |
| October | 163 | 7% |
| November | 42 | 1.8% |
| December | 13 | 0.6% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 2,340 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 42 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Apr | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| May | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Julbest time | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bears in Colorado peak in June, when 469 of the year's 2,340 verified observations are logged — about 20% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when bears are hardest to find — February sees just 8 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are American Black 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 bears in Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Go see them · Colorado
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Enhance your visit to Colorado with a private guided tour of the Bear Lake Road corridor in Rocky Mountain National Park. Take in the views while we...
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Staying over? Compare places to stay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Colorado?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 2,340 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for bears in Colorado, with only 8 verified records.
Are bears active year-round in Colorado?+
Bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Colorado