Bears in Washington in October
Yes, October is a good month to see bears in Washington. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 204 of the 2,482 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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.
Good month for bears in Washington
8.2%
of yearly sightings
204
records in October
#6
busiest month of 12
2,482
verified records a year
September 15.3%, October 8.2%, November 1.9%. 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, October carries 8.2% of the year's bears sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (15.3%) into October, and it heads toward November (1.9%) 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 October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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.
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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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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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 October?+
Yes. October accounts for 204 of the 2,482 verified bears sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bears in Washington?+
October is the 6th 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