Bears in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 244 of the 1,241 sightings logged across the year (19.7%), 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
19.7%
of yearly sightings
244
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,241
verified records a year
April 9.7%, May 19.7%, June 22.5%. 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, May carries 19.7% of the year's bears sightings, about 11.4 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 rising from April (9.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.5%) 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 Minnesota 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 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.
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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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Minnesota
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 244 of the 1,241 verified bears sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 19.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Minnesota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd 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