Bears in Colorado in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bears in Colorado. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 434 of the 2,340 sightings logged across the year (18.5%), 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 2, 2026.
Peak month for bears in Colorado
18.5%
of yearly sightings
434
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
2,340
verified records a year
July 20%, August 18.5%, September 14.4%. Busiest month is June at 20%.
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 |
In Colorado, August carries 18.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 10.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (20%) into August, and it heads toward September (14.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Colorado are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear2,340 records
Plan your bear trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Colorado in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 434 of the 2,340 verified bears sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 18.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in Colorado?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for bears in Colorado?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 2,340 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Colorado in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Colorado