Bears in South Carolina in December
Yes, December is a good month to see bears in South Carolina. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 16 of the 195 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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 South Carolina
8.2%
of yearly sightings
16
records in December
#7
busiest month of 12
195
verified records a year
November 9.7%, December 8.2%, January 1%. Busiest month is June at 22.6%.
195 verified observations of bears in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
June
44 records (22.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 1% |
| February | 1 | 0.5% |
| March | 8 | 4.1% |
| April | 8 | 4.1% |
| Maypeak | 19 | 9.7% |
| Junepeak | 44 | 22.6% |
| July | 18 | 9.2% |
| August | 15 | 7.7% |
| September | 17 | 8.7% |
| Octoberpeak | 28 | 14.4% |
| November | 19 | 9.7% |
| December | 16 | 8.2% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 195 |
In South Carolina, December carries 8.2% of the year's bears sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (9.7%) into December, and it heads toward January (1%) after. The busiest month is June (22.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in South Carolina are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear195 records
Plan your bear trip in South Carolina
Start with live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
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 Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in South Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in South Carolina
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 South Carolina in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 16 of the 195 verified bears sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see bears in South Carolina?+
December is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though June and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in South Carolina?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, October and May, based on 195 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in South Carolina in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in South Carolina