Bears in Tennessee in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in Tennessee. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 693 of the 3,650 sightings logged across the year (19%), 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 Tennessee
19%
of yearly sightings
693
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
3,650
verified records a year
April 13.4%, May 19%, June 18.3%. Busiest month is May at 19%.
3,650 verified observations of bears in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
May
693 records (19% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 36 | 1% |
| February | 17 | 0.5% |
| March | 91 | 2.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 490 | 13.4% |
| Maypeak | 693 | 19% |
| Junepeak | 668 | 18.3% |
| July | 407 | 11.2% |
| August | 397 | 10.9% |
| September | 292 | 8% |
| October | 291 | 8% |
| November | 199 | 5.5% |
| December | 69 | 1.9% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 3,650 |
In Tennessee, May carries 19% of the year's bears sightings, about 10.7 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 April (13.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Tennessee are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear3,650 records
Plan your bear trip in Tennessee
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Tennessee.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 693 of the 3,650 verified bears sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 19% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Tennessee?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for bears in Tennessee?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 3,650 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Tennessee in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Tennessee