Best Time to See Bears in Texas
May, November and October is the best time to see bears in Texas. Based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Texas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
American Black Bear · Public domain CC0
East Mexican Black Bear · Cody Stricker CC BY
American Black Bear · Clifton Ladd CC BY
579 verified observations of bears in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Texas
Peak month
May
97 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 3.6% |
| February | 7 | 1.2% |
| March | 23 | 4% |
| April | 46 | 7.9% |
| Maypeak | 97 | 16.8% |
| June | 47 | 8.1% |
| July | 40 | 6.9% |
| August | 42 | 7.3% |
| September | 58 | 10% |
| Octoberpeak | 83 | 14.3% |
| Novemberpeak | 90 | 15.5% |
| December | 25 | 4.3% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 579 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 48 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Mar | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Jun | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Octbest time | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Novbest time | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Dec | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bears in Texas:
Sightings of bears in Texas peak in May, when 97 of the year's 579 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, November and October.
The quietest stretch is February, when bears are hardest to find — February sees just 7 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in Texas are American Black Bear — 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 bears in Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Texas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, November and October, based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Texas?+
February is the quietest month for bears in Texas, with only 7 verified records.
Are bears active year-round in Texas?+
Bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Texas