Bears in Minnesota in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Minnesota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 171 of the 1,241 sightings logged across the year (13.8%), 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 Minnesota
13.8%
of yearly sightings
171
records in July
#3
busiest month of 12
1,241
verified records a year
June 22.5%, July 13.8%, August 12.4%. Busiest month is June at 22.5%.
1,241 verified observations of bears in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
June
279 records (22.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0.8% |
| February | 10 | 0.8% |
| March | 15 | 1.2% |
| April | 120 | 9.7% |
| Maypeak | 244 | 19.7% |
| Junepeak | 279 | 22.5% |
| Julypeak | 171 | 13.8% |
| August | 154 | 12.4% |
| September | 132 | 10.6% |
| October | 82 | 6.6% |
| November | 16 | 1.3% |
| December | 8 | 0.6% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,241 |
In Minnesota, July carries 13.8% of the year's bears sightings, about 5.5 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 (22.5%) into July, and it heads toward August (12.4%) 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 Minnesota 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 Bear1,241 records
Plan your bear trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Grand Portage National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Minnesota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bear tour in Minnesota
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 Minnesota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 171 of the 1,241 verified bears sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 13.8% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bears in Minnesota?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for bears in Minnesota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 1,241 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Minnesota in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Minnesota