Bears in Maryland in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in Maryland. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 44 of the 349 sightings logged across the year (12.6%), 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 Maryland
12.6%
of yearly sightings
44
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
349
verified records a year
April 7.4%, May 12.6%, June 23.2%. Busiest month is June at 23.2%.
349 verified observations of bears in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
81 records (23.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 1.1% |
| February | 6 | 1.7% |
| March | 11 | 3.2% |
| April | 26 | 7.4% |
| Maypeak | 44 | 12.6% |
| Junepeak | 81 | 23.2% |
| Julypeak | 76 | 21.8% |
| August | 33 | 9.5% |
| September | 23 | 6.6% |
| October | 22 | 6.3% |
| November | 12 | 3.4% |
| December | 11 | 3.2% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 349 |
In Maryland, May carries 12.6% of the year's bears sightings, about 4.3 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 rising from April (7.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (23.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Maryland are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear349 records
Plan your bear trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
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 Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 44 of the 349 verified bears sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 12.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Maryland?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for bears in Maryland?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 349 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Maryland in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Maryland