Bears in Virginia in August
Yes, August is a good month to see bears in Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 208 of the 1,787 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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 Virginia
11.6%
of yearly sightings
208
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
1,787
verified records a year
July 16.2%, August 11.6%, September 9.7%. Busiest month is June at 19.3%.
1,787 verified observations of bears in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
June
345 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 30 | 1.7% |
| February | 25 | 1.4% |
| March | 30 | 1.7% |
| April | 110 | 6.2% |
| Maypeak | 263 | 14.7% |
| Junepeak | 345 | 19.3% |
| Julypeak | 289 | 16.2% |
| August | 208 | 11.6% |
| September | 173 | 9.7% |
| October | 149 | 8.3% |
| November | 106 | 5.9% |
| December | 59 | 3.3% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 1,787 |
In Virginia, August carries 11.6% of the year's bears sightings, about 3.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (16.2%) into August, and it heads toward September (9.7%) after. The busiest month is June (19.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Virginia are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear1,787 records
Plan your bear trip in Virginia
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 208 of the 1,787 verified bears sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in Virginia?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 1,787 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Virginia in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Virginia