Bears in Tennessee in October
Yes, October is a good month to see bears in Tennessee. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 291 of the 3,650 sightings logged across the year (8%), 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 Tennessee
8%
of yearly sightings
291
records in October
#7
busiest month of 12
3,650
verified records a year
September 8%, October 8%, November 5.5%. 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, October carries 8% of the year's bears sightings, about 0.3 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 holds steady between September and October, and it heads toward November (5.5%) after. The busiest month is May (19%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Tennessee are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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.
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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 October?+
Yes. October accounts for 291 of the 3,650 verified bears sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bears in Tennessee?+
October is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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