Bears in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bears in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 351 of the 2,482 sightings logged across the year (14.1%), 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 Washington
14.1%
of yearly sightings
351
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
2,482
verified records a year
April 4.3%, May 14.1%, June 18%. Busiest month is June at 18%.
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 |
In Washington, May carries 14.1% of the year's bears sightings, about 5.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (18%) after. The busiest month is June (18%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Washington are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear2,482 records
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bear tour in Washington
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 Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 351 of the 2,482 verified bears sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 14.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Washington?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See bears in Washington in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Washington