Bears in New Hampshire in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in New Hampshire. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 260 of the 1,149 sightings logged across the year (22.6%), 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.
Peak month for bears in New Hampshire
22.6%
of yearly sightings
260
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
1,149
verified records a year
April 7.9%, May 22.6%, June 20%. 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, May carries 22.6% of the year's bears sightings, about 14.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (20%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in New Hampshire 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 Bear1,149 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.
GetYourGuide
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
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in New Hampshire.
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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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 260 of the 1,149 verified bears sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 22.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in New Hampshire?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
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