Best Time to See Bees in New Jersey
July, June and August is the best time to see bees in New Jersey. Based on 36,755 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in New Jersey.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Pyrobombus · Adrienne van den Beemt CC BY
Sphecodes confertus · Kyle Rossner CC BY
Osmia inspergens · Kyle Rossner CC BY
36,755 verified observations of bees in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
July
7,739 records (21.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 0.1% |
| February | 92 | 0.3% |
| March | 1,195 | 3.3% |
| April | 3,847 | 10.5% |
| May | 4,579 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 6,470 | 17.6% |
| Julypeak | 7,739 | 21.1% |
| Augustpeak | 4,978 | 13.5% |
| September | 4,810 | 13.1% |
| October | 2,704 | 7.4% |
| November | 288 | 0.8% |
| December | 29 | 0.1% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 6,110 |
| Western Honey Bee | 4,155 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 3,356 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 2,435 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 1,299 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 869 |
| Unequal Cellophane Bee | 531 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 462 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bees are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bees sit around 63 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Apr | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| May | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Julbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Augbest time | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bees in New Jersey:
Sightings of bees in New Jersey peak in July, when 7,739 of the year's 36,755 verified observations are logged — about 21.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when bees are hardest to find — January sees just 24 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bees you are most likely to encounter in New Jersey are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter Bee — 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 bees in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in New Jersey?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 36,755 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in New Jersey?+
January is the quietest month for bees in New Jersey, with only 24 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in New Jersey?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in New Jersey