Bears in Montana in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see bears in Montana. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 289 of the 1,481 sightings logged across the year (19.5%), 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 MontanaAmerican Black Bear photographed in MontanaAmerican Black Bear photographed in Montana
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bears in Montana

19.5%

of yearly sightings

289

records in June

#3

busiest month of 12

1,481

verified records a year

May 11.3%, June 19.5%, July 22.6%. Busiest month is July at 22.6%.

Best months: July, August, JunePeak season right now

1,481 verified observations of bears in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bears are recorded in Montana

Peak month

July

334 records (22.6% of the year)

Quietest month

February

2 records

MonthObservationsShare
January50.3%
February20.1%
March30.2%
April261.8%
May16711.3%
Junepeak28919.5%
Julypeak33422.6%
Augustpeak29620%
September25016.9%
October815.5%
November221.5%
December60.4%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear1,481

In Montana, June carries 19.5% of the year's bears sightings, about 11.2 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 rising from May (11.3%) into June, and it heads toward July (22.6%) 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 Montana 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 Bear1,481 records
Plan your tripBig Hole National Battlefield

Plan your bear trip in Montana

Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, 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 Montana in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 289 of the 1,481 verified bears sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 19.5% of the annual total.

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

June is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.

What month is best for bears in Montana?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 1,481 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Montana?+

The most-recorded species in Montana are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.