Bears in Montana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bears in Montana. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 167 of the 1,481 sightings logged across the year (11.3%), 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.
Good month for bears in Montana
11.3%
of yearly sightings
167
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
1,481
verified records a year
April 1.8%, May 11.3%, June 19.5%. Busiest month is July at 22.6%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.3% |
| February | 2 | 0.1% |
| March | 3 | 0.2% |
| April | 26 | 1.8% |
| May | 167 | 11.3% |
| Junepeak | 289 | 19.5% |
| Julypeak | 334 | 22.6% |
| Augustpeak | 296 | 20% |
| September | 250 | 16.9% |
| October | 81 | 5.5% |
| November | 22 | 1.5% |
| December | 6 | 0.4% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,481 |
In Montana, May carries 11.3% of the year's bears sightings, about 3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (1.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (19.5%) after. The busiest month is July (22.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Montana 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 Bear1,481 records
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.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
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 Big Hole National Battlefield
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 167 of the 1,481 verified bears sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 11.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Montana?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See bears in Montana in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Montana