Bears in New Hampshire in August
Yes, August is a good month to see bears in New Hampshire. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 142 of the 1,149 sightings logged across the year (12.4%), 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 2, 2026.
Good month for bears in New Hampshire
12.4%
of yearly sightings
142
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
1,149
verified records a year
July 13.8%, August 12.4%, September 7.8%. Busiest month is May at 22.6%.
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 |
In New Hampshire, August carries 12.4% of the year's bears sightings, about 4.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (13.8%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.8%) after. The busiest month is May (22.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in New Hampshire are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear1,149 records
Plan your bear trip in New Hampshire
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in New Hampshire
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in New Hampshire in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 142 of the 1,149 verified bears sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 12.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in New Hampshire?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in New Hampshire?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 1,149 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in New Hampshire?+
The most-recorded species in New Hampshire are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in New Hampshire in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in New Hampshire