Bears in Utah in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bears in Utah. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 29 of the 262 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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 Utah
11.1%
of yearly sightings
29
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
262
verified records a year
April 6.1%, May 11.1%, June 13%. Busiest month is July at 16.4%.
262 verified observations of bears in Utah, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Utah
Peak month
July
43 records (16.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 3.8% |
| February | 3 | 1.1% |
| March | 4 | 1.5% |
| April | 16 | 6.1% |
| May | 29 | 11.1% |
| June | 34 | 13% |
| Julypeak | 43 | 16.4% |
| Augustpeak | 42 | 16% |
| Septemberpeak | 42 | 16% |
| October | 20 | 7.6% |
| November | 15 | 5.7% |
| December | 4 | 1.5% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 262 |
In Utah, May carries 11.1% of the year's bears sightings, about 2.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (6.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (13%) after. The busiest month is July (16.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Utah 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 Bear262 records
Plan your bear trip in Utah
Start with live tours near Bryce Canyon National Park, 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 Bryce Canyon National Park
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 Bryce Canyon National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Utah.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Utah
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 Utah in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 29 of the 262 verified bears sightings logged in Utah across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Utah?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in Utah?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 262 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Utah?+
The most-recorded species in Utah are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Utah in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Utah