Bears in Ohio in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bears in Ohio. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 17 of the 75 sightings logged across the year (22.7%), 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 Ohio
22.7%
of yearly sightings
17
records in August
#1
busiest month of 12
75
verified records a year
July 9.3%, August 22.7%, September 9.3%. Busiest month is August at 22.7%.
75 verified observations of bears in Ohio, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Ohio
Peak month
August
17 records (22.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 6.7% |
| February | 2 | 2.7% |
| March | 1 | 1.3% |
| April | 4 | 5.3% |
| Maypeak | 13 | 17.3% |
| Junepeak | 12 | 16% |
| July | 7 | 9.3% |
| Augustpeak | 17 | 22.7% |
| September | 7 | 9.3% |
| October | 3 | 4% |
| November | 1 | 1.3% |
| December | 3 | 4% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 75 |
In Ohio, August carries 22.7% of the year's bears sightings, about 14.4 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 July (9.3%) into August, and it heads toward September (9.3%) 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 Ohio 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 Bear75 records
Plan your bear trip in Ohio
Start with live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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 Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Ohio.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Ohio
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 Ohio in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 17 of the 75 verified bears sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 22.7% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in Ohio?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, May and June.
What month is best for bears in Ohio?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, May and June, based on 75 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Ohio?+
The most-recorded species in Ohio are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Ohio in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Ohio