Bears in New Mexico in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bears in New Mexico. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 137 of the 895 sightings logged across the year (15.3%), 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 Mexico
15.3%
of yearly sightings
137
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
895
verified records a year
July 17.1%, August 15.3%, September 10.3%. Busiest month is June at 19.2%.
895 verified observations of bears in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
June
172 records (19.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 2% |
| February | 5 | 0.6% |
| March | 12 | 1.3% |
| April | 60 | 6.7% |
| May | 121 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 172 | 19.2% |
| Julypeak | 153 | 17.1% |
| Augustpeak | 137 | 15.3% |
| September | 92 | 10.3% |
| October | 74 | 8.3% |
| November | 35 | 3.9% |
| December | 16 | 1.8% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 895 |
In New Mexico, August carries 15.3% of the year's bears sightings, about 7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (17.1%) into August, and it heads toward September (10.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in New Mexico 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 Bear895 records
Plan your bear trip in New Mexico
Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bandelier National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Bandelier National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in New Mexico.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bear tour in New Mexico
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 Mexico in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 137 of the 895 verified bears sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 15.3% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in New Mexico?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for bears in New Mexico?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 895 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+
The most-recorded species in New Mexico are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in New Mexico in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in New Mexico