Best Time to See Grizzly Bears in Montana
August, July and June is the best time to see grizzly bears in Montana. Based on 703 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when grizzly bears are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Grizzly Bear · Romain Boisseau CC BY-SA
Grizzly Bear · Kaden Slone CC BY
Grizzly Bear · Tom Field CC BY
703 verified observations of grizzly bears in Montana, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When grizzly bears are recorded in Montana
Peak month
August
175 records (24.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.4% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 0.4% |
| April | 9 | 1.3% |
| May | 55 | 7.8% |
| Junepeak | 146 | 20.8% |
| Julypeak | 156 | 22.2% |
| Augustpeak | 175 | 24.9% |
| September | 115 | 16.4% |
| October | 29 | 4.1% |
| November | 10 | 1.4% |
| December | 2 | 0.3% |
Grizzly Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Bear | 703 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when grizzly bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for grizzly bears sit around 47 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| May | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on grizzly bears in Montana:
Sightings of grizzly bears in Montana peak in August, when 175 of the year's 703 verified observations are logged — about 24.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and June.
The quietest stretch is February, when grizzly bears are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The grizzly bears you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Brown 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 grizzly bears in Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Go see them · Montana
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see grizzly bears in Montana?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and June, based on 703 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are grizzly bears hardest to see in Montana?+
February is the quietest month for grizzly bears in Montana, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are grizzly bears active year-round in Montana?+
Grizzly bears are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see grizzly bears
More wildlife in Montana