Bears in Kentucky in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Kentucky. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 19 of the 131 sightings logged across the year (14.5%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bears in Kentucky
14.5%
of yearly sightings
19
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
131
verified records a year
June 29.8%, July 14.5%, August 9.2%. Busiest month is June at 29.8%.
131 verified observations of bears in Kentucky, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Kentucky
Peak month
June
39 records (29.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.8% |
| February | 3 | 2.3% |
| March | 3 | 2.3% |
| April | 7 | 5.3% |
| Maypeak | 13 | 9.9% |
| Junepeak | 39 | 29.8% |
| Julypeak | 19 | 14.5% |
| August | 12 | 9.2% |
| September | 13 | 9.9% |
| October | 11 | 8.4% |
| November | 5 | 3.8% |
| December | 5 | 3.8% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 131 |
In Kentucky, July carries 14.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 6.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (29.8%) into July, and it heads toward August (9.2%) 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 Kentucky 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 Bear131 records
Plan your bear trip in Kentucky
Start with live tours near Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Kentucky.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Kentucky
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Kentucky in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 19 of the 131 verified bears sightings logged in Kentucky across the year, which is 14.5% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bears in Kentucky?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for bears in Kentucky?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 131 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Kentucky?+
The most-recorded species in Kentucky are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Kentucky in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Kentucky