Bears in West Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in West Virginia. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 67 of the 518 sightings logged across the year (12.9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bears in West Virginia
12.9%
of yearly sightings
67
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
518
verified records a year
April 9.5%, May 12.9%, June 14.9%. Busiest month is July at 15.1%.
518 verified observations of bears in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
July
78 records (15.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 2.1% |
| February | 4 | 0.8% |
| March | 21 | 4.1% |
| April | 49 | 9.5% |
| Maypeak | 67 | 12.9% |
| Junepeak | 77 | 14.9% |
| Julypeak | 78 | 15.1% |
| August | 61 | 11.8% |
| September | 57 | 11% |
| October | 49 | 9.5% |
| November | 30 | 5.8% |
| December | 14 | 2.7% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 518 |
In West Virginia, May carries 12.9% of the year's bears sightings, about 4.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in West Virginia 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 Bear518 records
Plan your bear trip in West 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 West Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in West 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 West Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 67 of the 518 verified bears sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 12.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in West Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and May.
What month is best for bears in West Virginia?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and May, based on 518 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in West Virginia in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in West Virginia