Best Time to See Bears in Washington
June, August and July is the best time to see bears in Washington. Based on 2,482 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
American Black Bear · José Garrido CC BY
American Black Bear · Quinn Shemet CC BY
American Black Bear · Daval Davis CC BY
2,482 verified observations of bears in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Washington
Peak month
June
448 records (18% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15 | 0.6% |
| February | 15 | 0.6% |
| March | 30 | 1.2% |
| April | 106 | 4.3% |
| May | 351 | 14.1% |
| Junepeak | 448 | 18% |
| Julypeak | 426 | 17.2% |
| Augustpeak | 441 | 17.8% |
| September | 380 | 15.3% |
| October | 204 | 8.2% |
| November | 48 | 1.9% |
| December | 18 | 0.7% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 2,482 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 51 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bears in Washington peak in June, when 448 of the year's 2,482 verified observations are logged — about 18% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, August and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when bears are hardest to find — January sees just 15 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in Washington are American Black Bear — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bears in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Washington?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, August and July, based on 2,482 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Washington?+
January is the quietest month for bears in Washington, with only 15 verified records.
Are bears active year-round in Washington?+
Bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Washington