Best Time to See Bees in Oregon
May, June and July is the best time to see bees in Oregon. Based on 51,348 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in Oregon.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Western Honey Bee · Kieran Hanrahan CC BY
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee · Lee Cain CC BY
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee · Joseph Rojas CC BY
51,348 verified observations of bees in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
May
10,742 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 170 | 0.3% |
| February | 484 | 0.9% |
| March | 2,330 | 4.5% |
| April | 5,687 | 11.1% |
| Maypeak | 10,742 | 20.9% |
| Junepeak | 10,569 | 20.6% |
| Julypeak | 10,096 | 19.7% |
| August | 7,334 | 14.3% |
| September | 2,761 | 5.4% |
| October | 875 | 1.7% |
| November | 202 | 0.4% |
| December | 98 | 0.2% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Honey Bee | 6,039 |
| Yellow-faced Bumble Bee | 5,031 |
| Black-tailed Bumble Bee | 2,639 |
| Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee | 1,430 |
| California Bumble Bee | 915 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 754 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 710 |
| Vancouver Bumble Bee | 610 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Oregon
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 40 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 26°F | 2" |
| Feb | 38°F | 22°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 43°F | 25°F | 1.9" |
| Apr | 52°F | 32°F | 2.2" |
| Maybest time | 61°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Junbest time | 71°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Julbest time | 83°F | 56°F | 0.1" |
| Aug | 81°F | 56°F | 0.4" |
| Sep | 71°F | 47°F | 1.2" |
| Oct | 58°F | 37°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 45°F | 28°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 37°F | 25°F | 2.4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oregon. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bees in Oregon:
Sightings of bees in Oregon peak in May, when 10,742 of the year's 51,348 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is December, when bees are hardest to find — December sees just 98 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 Oregon are Western Honey Bee, Yellow-faced Bumble Bee and Black-tailed Bumble 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 Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park — National Park
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in Oregon?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 51,348 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in Oregon?+
December is the quietest month for bees in Oregon, with only 98 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in Oregon?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oregon, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in Oregon