Bears in Virginia in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 289 of the 1,787 sightings logged across the year (16.2%), 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.
Peak month for bears in Virginia
16.2%
of yearly sightings
289
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
1,787
verified records a year
June 19.3%, July 16.2%, August 11.6%. 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, July carries 16.2% of the year's bears sightings, about 7.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (19.3%) into July, and it heads toward August (11.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Virginia are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July 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
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Virginia.
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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 July?+
Yes. July accounts for 289 of the 1,787 verified bears sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 16.2% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bears in Virginia?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
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