Bears in Wyoming in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in Wyoming. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 605 of the 3,233 sightings logged across the year (18.7%), 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 Wyoming
18.7%
of yearly sightings
605
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
3,233
verified records a year
April 1.1%, May 18.7%, June 35.1%. Busiest month is June at 35.1%.
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 |
In Wyoming, May carries 18.7% of the year's bears sightings, about 10.4 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 (1.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (35.1%) 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 Wyoming 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 Bear3,233 records
Plan your bear trip in Wyoming
Start with live tours near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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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 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Wyoming in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 605 of the 3,233 verified bears sightings logged in Wyoming across the year, which is 18.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Wyoming?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for bears in Wyoming?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 3,233 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Wyoming?+
The most-recorded species in Wyoming are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Wyoming in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Wyoming