Best Time to See Bears in Mississippi
May, August and April is the best time to see bears in Mississippi. Based on 16 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Mississippi.
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 · Will McFarland CC BY
16 verified observations of bears in Mississippi, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
May
6 records (37.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 6.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 2 | 12.5% |
| Maypeak | 6 | 37.5% |
| June | 2 | 12.5% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| Augustpeak | 3 | 18.8% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 1 | 6.3% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 6.3% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 16 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 54 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Aprbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| Maybest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Jun | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Jul | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Augbest time | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sep | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bears in Mississippi peak in May, when 6 of the year's 16 verified observations are logged — about 37.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, August and April.
The quietest stretch is January, February and July, when bears are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in Mississippi are American Black Bear — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bears in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Mississippi?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, August and April, based on 16 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Mississippi?+
January is the quietest month for bears in Mississippi, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are bears active year-round in Mississippi?+
Bears are recorded in 7 of 12 months in Mississippi, concentrated around May and August.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Mississippi