Best Time to See Bears in New Hampshire
May, June and July is the best time to see bears in New Hampshire. Based on 1,149 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in New Hampshire.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
American Black Bear · edimanchev CC BY
American Black Bear · Jaime McGuigan CC BY
American Black Bear · Nick Kleinschmidt CC BY
1,149 verified observations of bears in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
May
260 records (22.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 1.1% |
| February | 9 | 0.8% |
| March | 30 | 2.6% |
| April | 91 | 7.9% |
| Maypeak | 260 | 22.6% |
| Junepeak | 230 | 20% |
| Julypeak | 158 | 13.8% |
| August | 142 | 12.4% |
| September | 90 | 7.8% |
| October | 56 | 4.9% |
| November | 45 | 3.9% |
| December | 25 | 2.2% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,149 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Hampshire
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 40 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24°F | 8°F | 4.1" |
| Feb | 25°F | 8°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 34°F | 18°F | 3.3" |
| Apr | 45°F | 29°F | 5.2" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 4.8" |
| Julbest time | 72°F | 57°F | 7.1" |
| Aug | 70°F | 56°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| Oct | 53°F | 39°F | 5.6" |
| Nov | 38°F | 24°F | 4.2" |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Hampshire. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bears in New Hampshire:
Sightings of bears in New Hampshire peak in May, when 260 of the year's 1,149 verified observations are logged — about 22.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when bears are hardest to find — February sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in New Hampshire?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 1,149 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in New Hampshire?+
February is the quietest month for bears in New Hampshire, with only 9 verified records.
Are bears active year-round in New Hampshire?+
Bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Hampshire, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in New Hampshire