Bears in Wisconsin in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bears in Wisconsin. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 94 of the 623 sightings logged across the year (15.1%), 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.
Peak month for bears in Wisconsin
15.1%
of yearly sightings
94
records in July
#3
busiest month of 12
623
verified records a year
June 25.7%, July 15.1%, August 12.7%. Busiest month is June at 25.7%.
623 verified observations of bears in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
June
160 records (25.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.3% |
| February | 3 | 0.5% |
| March | 6 | 1% |
| April | 35 | 5.6% |
| Maypeak | 126 | 20.2% |
| Junepeak | 160 | 25.7% |
| Julypeak | 94 | 15.1% |
| August | 79 | 12.7% |
| September | 49 | 7.9% |
| October | 38 | 6.1% |
| November | 26 | 4.2% |
| December | 5 | 0.8% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 623 |
In Wisconsin, July carries 15.1% of the year's bears sightings, about 6.8 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 easing off from June (25.7%) into July, and it heads toward August (12.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Wisconsin are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear623 records
Plan your bear trip in Wisconsin
Start with live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Wisconsin.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bear tour in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 94 of the 623 verified bears sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 15.1% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bears in Wisconsin?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for bears in Wisconsin?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 623 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+
The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Wisconsin in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Wisconsin