Best Time to See Bees in Tennessee
June, July and August is the best time to see bees in Tennessee. Based on 34,027 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in Tennessee.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Southern Plains Bumble Bee · Public domain CC0
Andrena fenningeri · Will Kuhn CC BY
Protandrena virginica · Will Kuhn CC BY
34,027 verified observations of bees in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
June
5,720 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32 | 0.1% |
| February | 169 | 0.5% |
| March | 2,537 | 7.5% |
| April | 4,340 | 12.8% |
| May | 3,248 | 9.5% |
| Junepeak | 5,720 | 16.8% |
| Julypeak | 5,204 | 15.3% |
| Augustpeak | 5,098 | 15% |
| September | 4,705 | 13.8% |
| October | 2,489 | 7.3% |
| November | 427 | 1.3% |
| December | 58 | 0.2% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 4,861 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 4,547 |
| Western Honey Bee | 3,494 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 2,006 |
| American Bumble Bee | 1,588 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 987 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 830 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 683 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Tennessee
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 65 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F | 33°F | 6" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 7.3" |
| Mar | 62°F | 42°F | 7.5" |
| Apr | 68°F | 48°F | 4.7" |
| May | 77°F | 58°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 65°F | 6.2" |
| Julbest time | 87°F | 70°F | 7.4" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 69°F | 8.3" |
| Sep | 82°F | 64°F | 3.2" |
| Oct | 72°F | 53°F | 4.8" |
| Nov | 59°F | 41°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 54°F | 38°F | 5.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Tennessee. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bees in Tennessee:
Sightings of bees in Tennessee peak in June, when 5,720 of the year's 34,027 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when bees are hardest to find — January sees just 32 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 Tennessee are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Eastern Carpenter Bee and Western Honey 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 Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Obed Wild & Scenic River — Wild & Scenic River
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in Tennessee?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 34,027 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in Tennessee?+
January is the quietest month for bees in Tennessee, with only 32 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in Tennessee?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Tennessee, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in Tennessee