Bears in Ohio in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bears in Ohio. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 7 of the 75 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for bears in Ohio
9.3%
of yearly sightings
7
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
75
verified records a year
August 22.7%, September 9.3%, October 4%. 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, September carries 9.3% of the year's bears sightings, about 1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (22.7%) into September, and it heads toward October (4%) after. The busiest month is August (22.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Ohio are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 7 of the 75 verified bears sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bears in Ohio?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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