Best Time to See Bears in Wyoming
June, July and May is the best time to see bears in Wyoming. Based on 3,233 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bears are most active across the year in Wyoming.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
American Black Bear · Public domain CC0
American Black Bear · Konshau Duman CC BY
American Black Bear · Wendy St. John CC BY-SA
3,233 verified observations of bears in Wyoming, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Wyoming
Peak month
June
1,136 records (35.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 0.2% |
| February | 8 | 0.2% |
| March | 11 | 0.3% |
| April | 34 | 1.1% |
| Maypeak | 605 | 18.7% |
| Junepeak | 1,136 | 35.1% |
| Julypeak | 654 | 20.2% |
| August | 348 | 10.8% |
| September | 325 | 10.1% |
| October | 96 | 3% |
| November | 5 | 0.2% |
| December | 4 | 0.1% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 3,233 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Wyoming
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bears are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bears sit around 40 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 15°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 25°F | 9°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 35°F | 19°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 45°F | 26°F | 1.9" |
| Maybest time | 60°F | 40°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 52°F | 1.7" |
| Julbest time | 84°F | 60°F | 0.3" |
| Aug | 82°F | 58°F | 0.9" |
| Sep | 72°F | 50°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 51°F | 33°F | 1.9" |
| Nov | 40°F | 24°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 0.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Wyoming. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bears in Wyoming peak in June, when 1,136 of the year's 3,233 verified observations are logged — about 35.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is December and November, when bears are hardest to find — December sees just 4 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bears you are most likely to encounter in Wyoming are American Black Bear — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bears in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Devils Tower National Monument — National Monument
- Fossil Butte National Monument — National Monument
- Grand Teton National Park — National Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Go see them · Wyoming
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bears in Wyoming?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 3,233 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bears hardest to see in Wyoming?+
December is the quietest month for bears in Wyoming, with only 4 verified records.
Are bears active year-round in Wyoming?+
Bears are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Wyoming, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Wyoming