Types of Bears in Utah
Utah is home to two bear species: the American black bear and the brown bear (grizzly). Black bears are widespread across the state's mountains and forests, while grizzlies are extremely rare, with only occasional sightings in the far northern Uinta Mountains. Start your identification by looking at size, color, and shoulder hump.
Utah is home to two bear species: the American black bear and the brown bear (grizzly). Black bears are widespread across the state's mountains and forests, while grizzlies are extremely rare, with only occasional sightings in the far northern Uinta Mountains. Start your identification by looking at size, color, and shoulder hump.
1. What are the main types of bears found in Utah?
Utah hosts two bear species: the American black bear (*Ursus americanus*) and the brown bear, also known as the grizzly (*Ursus arctos*). Black bears are common throughout Utah's mountain ranges, while grizzlies are considered extirpated, with only rare dispersing individuals from Wyoming or Montana. Most sightings in Utah are black bears.
See ourBears guidefor the next step.
2. How can you tell a black bear from a grizzly bear in Utah?
The most reliable field marks are the shoulder hump and face profile. Grizzlies have a prominent hump above their shoulders and a dished (concave) face. Black bears have no hump and a straight or Roman-nosed profile. Color alone is misleading: black bears can be brown, cinnamon, or even blond. Also check claw length: grizzlies have long, light-colored claws (2.4 inches), while black bears have short, dark claws (1.2 inches).
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
3. Where are black bears most likely to be seen in Utah?
Black bears inhabit Utah's mountain areas above 5,000 feet, especially in the Uinta, Wasatch, La Sal, and Abajo ranges. They frequent oak brush, aspen groves, and coniferous forests. The highest densities occur in the Uinta Mountains and the Book Cliffs region. Spring and early summer are prime times, as bears move to lower elevations for green vegetation.
See ourBears typesfor the next step.
4. What about grizzly bears in Utah? Are there any?
Grizzly bears are functionally extinct in Utah. The last confirmed grizzly in the state was killed in the 1920s. However, occasional dispersing grizzlies from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem may wander into the northern Uinta Mountains. No breeding population exists. If you see a bear with a prominent hump and dish-shaped face in Utah, it's almost certainly a misidentified black bear.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. What are the best times of year to spot bears in Utah?
Bears are most active from April through October. In spring, they come down to mid-elevations for grasses and sedges. Summer finds them in berry-producing areas and along streams. Fall is a prime spotting season as bears bulk up on acorns and pine nuts before hibernation. Dawn and dusk offer the best odds. Look for fresh tracks, scat, and clawed trees.
6. What should you do if you encounter a bear in Utah?
Stay calm and do not run. Give the bear space, back away slowly, and avoid direct eye contact. If it's a black bear, make yourself look big and make noise. For grizzlies, play dead if attacked but fight back if it persists. Carry bear spray in bear country and know how to use it. Always store food properly in bear-proof containers.