Bears in Texas in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see bears in Texas. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 83 of the 579 sightings logged across the year (14.3%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bears in Texas
14.3%
of yearly sightings
83
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
579
verified records a year
September 10%, October 14.3%, November 15.5%. Busiest month is May at 16.8%.
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 |
In Texas, October carries 14.3% of the year's bears sightings, about 6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (10%) into October, and it heads toward November (15.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Texas 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 Bear579 records
Plan your bear trip in Texas
Start with live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area, 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 Amistad National Recreation Area
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 Amistad National Recreation Area
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Texas.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Texas
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 Texas in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 83 of the 579 verified bears sightings logged in Texas across the year, which is 14.3% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bears in Texas?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, November and October.
What month is best for bears in Texas?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, November and October, based on 579 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Texas?+
The most-recorded species in Texas are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Texas in other months
More places to see bears