Bears in Massachusetts in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 152 of the 1,047 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 Massachusetts
14.5%
of yearly sightings
152
records in July
#3
busiest month of 12
1,047
verified records a year
June 18.4%, July 14.5%, August 10.5%. Busiest month is May at 18.6%.
1,047 verified observations of bears in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
May
195 records (18.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 1.1% |
| February | 7 | 0.7% |
| March | 45 | 4.3% |
| April | 99 | 9.5% |
| Maypeak | 195 | 18.6% |
| Junepeak | 193 | 18.4% |
| Julypeak | 152 | 14.5% |
| August | 110 | 10.5% |
| September | 101 | 9.6% |
| October | 77 | 7.4% |
| November | 38 | 3.6% |
| December | 19 | 1.8% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,047 |
In Massachusetts, 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 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (18.4%) into July, and it heads toward August (10.5%) 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 Massachusetts 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 Bear1,047 records
Plan your bear trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 152 of the 1,047 verified bears sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 14.5% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bears in Massachusetts?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
What month is best for bears in Massachusetts?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 1,047 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Massachusetts