Bears in Oregon in July

Yes, July is a good month to see bears in Oregon. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 214 of the 1,951 sightings logged across the year (11%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American Black Bear photographed in OregonAmerican Black Bear photographed in OregonAmerican Black Bear photographed in Oregon
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bears in Oregon

11%

of yearly sightings

214

records in July

#6

busiest month of 12

1,951

verified records a year

June 19.7%, July 11%, August 12.9%. Busiest month is June at 19.7%.

Best months: June, September, August

1,951 verified observations of bears in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bears are recorded in Oregon

Peak month

June

384 records (19.7% of the year)

Quietest month

February

13 records

MonthObservationsShare
January150.8%
February130.7%
March381.9%
April904.6%
May24812.7%
Junepeak38419.7%
July21411%
Augustpeak25112.9%
Septemberpeak29815.3%
October24212.4%
November1186%
December402.1%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear1,951

In Oregon, July carries 11% of the year's bears sightings, about 2.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (19.7%) into July, and it heads toward August (12.9%) after. The busiest month is June (19.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bears most often recorded in Oregon are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear1,951 records
Plan your tripCrater Lake National Park

Plan your bear trip in Oregon

Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Oregon in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 214 of the 1,951 verified bears sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see bears in Oregon?+

July is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though June and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bears in Oregon?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, September and August, based on 1,951 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Oregon?+

The most-recorded species in Oregon are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.