Bears in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 126 of the 788 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bears in New Jersey
16%
of yearly sightings
126
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
788
verified records a year
April 7.6%, May 16%, June 21.7%. Busiest month is June at 21.7%.
788 verified observations of bears in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
June
171 records (21.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 0.9% |
| February | 14 | 1.8% |
| March | 30 | 3.8% |
| April | 60 | 7.6% |
| Maypeak | 126 | 16% |
| Junepeak | 171 | 21.7% |
| Julypeak | 95 | 12.1% |
| August | 87 | 11% |
| September | 68 | 8.6% |
| October | 63 | 8% |
| November | 48 | 6.1% |
| December | 19 | 2.4% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 788 |
In New Jersey, May carries 16% of the year's bears sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (21.7%) 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 Jersey 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 Bear788 records
Plan your bear trip in New Jersey
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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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 Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 126 of the 788 verified bears sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in New Jersey?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for bears in New Jersey?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 788 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in New Jersey in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in New Jersey