Bears in Washington in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see bears in Washington. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 448 of the 2,482 sightings logged across the year (18%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 photographed in WashingtonAmerican Black Bear photographed in WashingtonAmerican Black Bear photographed in Washington
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bears in Washington

18%

of yearly sightings

448

records in June

#1

busiest month of 12

2,482

verified records a year

May 14.1%, June 18%, July 17.2%. Busiest month is June at 18%.

Best months: June, August, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

15 records

MonthObservationsShare
January150.6%
February150.6%
March301.2%
April1064.3%
May35114.1%
Junepeak44818%
Julypeak42617.2%
Augustpeak44117.8%
September38015.3%
October2048.2%
November481.9%
December180.7%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear2,482

In Washington, June carries 18% of the year's bears sightings, about 9.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from May (14.1%) into June, and it heads toward July (17.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The bears most often recorded in Washington are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear2,482 records
Plan your tripEbey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Plan your bear trip in Washington

Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Washington in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 448 of the 2,482 verified bears sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 18% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see bears in Washington?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, August and July.

What month is best for bears in Washington?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, August and July, based on 2,482 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Washington?+

The most-recorded species in Washington are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.