Bears in New Jersey in October
Yes, October is a good month to see bears in New Jersey. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 63 of the 788 sightings logged across the year (8%), 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.
Good month for bears in New Jersey
8%
of yearly sightings
63
records in October
#6
busiest month of 12
788
verified records a year
September 8.6%, October 8%, November 6.1%. 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, October carries 8% of the year's bears sightings, about 0.3 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between September and October, and it heads toward November (6.1%) after. The busiest month is June (21.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in New Jersey are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in New Jersey in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 63 of the 788 verified bears sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bears in New Jersey?+
October is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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