Bears in Massachusetts in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see bears in Massachusetts. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 193 of the 1,047 sightings logged across the year (18.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American Black Bear photographed in MassachusettsAmerican Black Bear photographed in MassachusettsAmerican Black Bear photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bears in Massachusetts

18.4%

of yearly sightings

193

records in June

#2

busiest month of 12

1,047

verified records a year

May 18.6%, June 18.4%, July 14.5%. Busiest month is May at 18.6%.

Best months: May, June, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

7 records

MonthObservationsShare
January111.1%
February70.7%
March454.3%
April999.5%
Maypeak19518.6%
Junepeak19318.4%
Julypeak15214.5%
August11010.5%
September1019.6%
October777.4%
November383.6%
December191.8%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear1,047

In Massachusetts, June carries 18.4% of the year's bears sightings, about 10.1 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 holds steady between May and June, and it heads toward July (14.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June 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 June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear1,047 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Massachusetts in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 193 of the 1,047 verified bears sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 18.4% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see bears in Massachusetts?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd 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.