Grizzly Bears in Montana in September
Yes, September is a good month to see grizzly bears in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 115 of the 703 sightings logged across the year (16.4%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for grizzly bears in Montana
16.4%
of yearly sightings
115
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
703
verified records a year
August 24.9%, September 16.4%, October 4.1%. Busiest month is August at 24.9%.
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 |
In Montana, September carries 16.4% of the year's grizzly bears sightings, about 8.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (24.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.1%) after. The busiest month is August (24.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The grizzly bears most often recorded in Montana are Brown Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which grizzly bears you are most likely to see
- Brown Bear703 records
Plan your grizzly 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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Frequently asked questions
Can you see grizzly bears in Montana in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 115 of the 703 verified grizzly bears sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 16.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see grizzly bears in Montana?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for grizzly bears in Montana?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 703 verified observations.
Which grizzly bears are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Brown Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See grizzly bears in Montana in other months
More wildlife in Montana