Best National Parks to See Bears

The chance to see bears in the wild is still something that fills us with awe and wonder. To see these magnificent and powerful creatures in their habitat can fill anyone with a mixture of amazement, fear, and excitement.

Luckily, there are still national parks where bears can be spotted. Some may be easier than others, and some may require some work and patience, but the payoff is well worth it. Here are 9 of the best parks to see bears.

What Kind of Bears Are There?

There are many different bears found across North America, including the grizzly bear, black bear, brown bear, and polar bear. What’s the difference between these types of bears?

Polar Bears

Polar bears are the largest type of bear in the world and can weigh up to 1,700 pounds. They have white fur and live in the Arctic Circle. You’re unlikely to see polar bears in any national parks, including those in Alaska.

Brown Bears

Brown bears are the second-largest type of bear found in North America and can weigh up to 1,400 pounds. They have brown fur and can be found in Alaska, western Canada, and the northwestern United States. Brown bears can further be divided into grizzly bears and Kodiak bears.

Kodiak Bears

Kodiak bears are the larger of the two, although you’re unlikely to see one since they only live on the Kodiak Archipelago.

Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears are the second-largest type of bear found in North America and can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. They have brown fur with a light-colored “grizzled” appearance (hence their name), and can be found in western Canada, Alaska, and the northwestern United States.

Black Bears

Black bears are the most common type of bear found in North America and can weigh up to 600 pounds. They have black fur, although some black bears can have a brown or cinnamon-colored coat. Black bears can be found in forests across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a great national park to see bears. The park is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Many people come to the park hoping to catch a glimpse, but you may need a little planning and patience. You’ll likely have to go to the right place at the right time to see bears in Yellowstone.

Best Place to See Bears in Yellowstone National Park

Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears are common in Lamar Valley, Swan Lake Flats, and Gardiners Hole. They can also be seen near Dunraven Pass on Hayden Valley road along with other locations within Yellowstone National Park’s borders such as Fishing Bridge or Old Faithful Geyser geyser.

Black Bears

Some of the best places to see black bears in Yellowstone include :

Fishing Bridge: One of the best places to see bears in Yellowstone is Fishing Bridge. The bears here are used to humans and are often seen bears fishing for trout in the river.

Tower Fall: Another great place to see bears is at Tower Fall. The bears here come to the river to drink and fish.

Mammoth Hot Springs is also a popular spot for black bears in Yellowstone. The Bechler Region is the most popular spot for black bears in the southern part of the park.

Best Time to See Bears in Yellowstone National Park

The best time to see bears in the park is early in the morning or at dusk. The bears in the park hibernate in the winter, so spring through early fall is the time when they are most active.

Other Wildlife to See in Yellowstone National Park

In addition to bears, Yellowstone National Park is home to an amazing array of wildlife. So, while you’re in the park, keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyotes, cougars, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and more.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is another great place to see bears. The park is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. You’ll find them in all areas of the park, including on trails and roadways. There are an estimated 700 grizzly bears in the Grand Teton/Yellowstone area.

Best Places to See Bears in Grand Teton National Park

Some of the best places to see bears in Grand Teton include Oxbow Bend, Menor’s Ferry, Willow Flats, riverbanks near Jackson Lake Lodge, and Colter Bay. Different types of bears can be found in different areas of the park, so be sure to ask a ranger where the best place to see bears is when you arrive.

Best Time to See Bears in Grand Teton National Park

Bears are most active early in the morning and late in the evening, so plan your bear watching accordingly. Safety is always a priority when bears are involved, so be sure to follow all the rules and regulations set forth by the park.

Your best chance to see grizzly bears or black bears is from spring through fall. The bears hibernate in the winter.

Other Wildlife to See in Grand Teton National Park

There is also plenty of other wildlife to see in Grand Teton National Park. This includes bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, coyote, cougar, bobcat, beaver, otter, and more. Usually, the best time to see wildlife is early morning and evening.

Glacier National Park

Montana’s Glacier National Park has nearly 1,000 bears in its 1,500 square miles. The park is home to both black bears and grizzly bears and it’s not unusual to encounter one in the wild. Keep in mind, however, that park rules forbid anyone from getting within 100 yards of a bear.

Best Places to See Bears in Glacier National Park

Some of the best areas and trails to see bears in Glacier National Park include :

-Bear Huckleberry Hill: This is a great place to see bears feeding on huckleberries in the early morning or evening hours.

– Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail: This trail winds along the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake and is a great place to see bears fishing for trout.

– Many Glacier Hotel Area: There is a large concentration of bears in the Many Glacier Hotel area due to the abundant amount of food.

Best Time to See Bears in Glacier National Park

As with everywhere else, the best time to see the bears is early in the morning or in the evening. If you’re hiking on a trail anywhere in the park, be aware that an encounter can happen any time of day.

Bears in Glacier National Park hibernate in the winter. The best time to see them is from spring through late summer.

Other Wildlife to See in Glacier National Park

But Glacier National Park is more than just bears. Here you’ll also find other wildlife including bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, and mountain goats.

There are also numerous bird species including bald and golden eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and more.

Katmai National Park

All of Alaska’s national parks are good for seeing bears, but Katmai gives you a unique experience where you’re guaranteed to see them with the right planning. Overall, there are about 2,200 brown bears in the park. It’s one of the premier spots in the world for grizzly bears.

Best Places to See Bears in Katmai National Park

The best place to see bears in the park is at Brooks Camp. The Brooks River runs through the park and when the salmon arrive, you can see the bears feasting at Brooks Falls. There are four viewing platforms from which you can safely see this amazing site. It’s something you may not be able to observe anywhere else.

Best Time to See Bears in Katmai National Park

To see the grizzly bears at Brooks Falls, you’ll want to go in either late June or September. The appearance of the bears is determined by the arrival and life cycle of the salmon. Here is a great brochure from the National Park Service that will tell you everything you need to know.

Other Wildlife to See in Katmai National Park

Although the bears are the highlight, you’ll also find other wildlife in Katmai. Wolves and wolverines also call Katmai home. You might see them stalking their prey or running through the forests.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot a lynx or two. These elusive cats are difficult to see, but they are occasionally spotted in the park. And along the coast, in the Shelikof Strait, you may even catch a glimpse of a humpback whale.

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is one of the lesser-known national parks, but also one of the hidden gems. Located about three hours from Seattle, the park is a vast alpine wilderness that has relatively few visitors.

Almost all of the bears in the park are black bears. The National Park Service estimates that there are about 1,600 in the park. The park is also home to a handful of grizzly bears, although the chances of seeing one are very small. There was a plan recently to introduce more grizzly bears into the park, which was part of their historic range, but it was scrapped by the Department of the Interior in 2020.

Best Places to See Bears in North Cascades National Park

Some of the best places to see bears in the park include Rainy Lake, Kettle Falls, and the Blue Lake Trail. There are also plenty of bears to be found in the park’s backcountry, so hikers and campers should be prepared with proper food storage methods and bear spray.

Best Time to See Bears in North Cascades National Park

The best time to see bears is in the morning and the evening. They are also most active in the spring through the late summer. Bears in the park hibernate in the winter.

Other Wildlife to See in North Cascades National Park

This mountainous national park also has a wide array of other wildlife in addition to bears. Here you may see mountain goats, bald eagles, elk, deer, and more. There are also a variety of different fish species in the park’s lakes and rivers.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is another great place to see bears. The National Park Service estimates that there are approximately 1,600 black bears in the park. The park is approximately 800 square miles, so with an average of 2 bears per square mile, you’ve got a decent chance to spot one.

Best Places to See Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Some of the best places to see bears in the park include :

-Cades Cove: The large open meadow at Cades Cove is a great place to see bears foraging for food. Bears are often seen here early in the morning or late in the evening.

-Oconaluftee River Trail: This trail offers bears a good place to forage for food and is also a popular spot for bear watching.

Cataloochee Valley: bears are often seen here feeding on acorns in the autumn.

Best Time to See Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You can see bears at any time of day in the park. The best times are early in the day or at dusk. Bears are most active from spring through late summer. And although fall is a very popular time to visit the park for the foliage, you’re less likely to encounter a bear at that time.

Other Wildlife to See in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The abundance of wildlife in these mountains is also something that makes it the most visited national park. You’ll find elk, deer, turkeys, beavers, otters, coyotes, and countless other species of animals.

There are also more than 200 different types of birds that make their home in the park. So no matter what time of year you visit, there’s always something to see.

Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park is another good place to see bears. According to the National Park Service, the park is home to approximately 150 black bears. The park is over 300 square miles, so if you want to see a black bear, you’re likely to have better luck if you plan it for the right time and right place.

Best Places to See Bears in Voyageurs National Park

There are plenty of good places to see bears in the park. Some of the most active spots include Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Kabetogama Lake is a good place to see bears during the fall when they are feeding on spawning fish. Ash River is a good place to see bears in the spring as they feed on new vegetation.

Best Time to See Bears in Voyageurs National Park

The best time to see bears in the park is in the spring and fall when they’re most active. However, you can find them throughout the park any time of year except winter, when they hibernate.

The best time of day is early morning or evening. This is when they are most active and when you have the best chance to see them.

Other Wildlife to See in Voyageurs National Park

In addition to black bears, you’ll find plenty of other wildlife in this remote and beautiful national park. You may see moose, deer, beavers, otters, bald eagles, loons, and more.

It’s also great for fishing and other recreation. You’ll find a wide variety of fish around Voyageurs, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.

There are also canoe and kayak rentals available to explore the numerous lakes and rivers in the park.

Shenandoah National Park

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park is another great place to see black bears. The National Park Service estimates that there are several hundred bears in the park. Considering the park is about 311 square miles, that means there may be an average of one bear every square mile or so.

Best Places to See Bears in Shenandoah National Park

Some of the best places in the park are along Skyline Drive. It’s the road that runs throughout the park, so you’ll be driving on it whichever attraction or trails you’re traveling to. Look for bears on the side of the road, or just off of it in the woods.

Other places you may encounter bears include Bearfence Mountain, Big Meadows, and Turk Gap. You can visit our Shenandoah Maps page for free maps of these areas.

Best Time to See Bears in Shenandoah National Park

The best time of the year to see bears in the park is from spring through late summer. During the day, bears are like much of the park’s other wildlife. The best time to catch a glimpse is usually early in the morning or around sunset.

Other Wildlife to See in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife. You might see white-tailed deer, songbirds, wild turkeys, and snakes. You’ll also find a diverse population of other birds in the park, such as eagles, hawks, and ospreys.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is another great place to see bears. The park is home to black bears and, with a little luck and patience, you may see one. Most bear spottings in the park are away from areas with a lot of human activity, such as visitor centers and popular trails. To see one, you may have to get into some of the more remote areas of the park.

Best Places to See Bears in Olympic National Park

There are several good places to see bears in the park. The Hoh Rainforest and the Queets Rainforest offer a good chance to see bears, as there as more areas of dense vegetation for them to forage for food. The Hoh River Trail and Paradise Park are also good spots.

The Enchanted Valley is a great place to spot bears as there is a lot of open space for them to roam. Bears are also often seen near the Elwha River and in the Low Divide.

Best Time to See Bears in Olympic National Park

The best time to see bears in Olympic National Park is in the spring and summer. This is when they are most active and can be seen foraging for food. The best time of day to see them is early in the morning or at dusk.

Other Wildlife to See in Olympic National Park

The ecosystem in Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse in the country. Here you’ll find wildlife such as Roosevelt elk, deer, coyotes, foxes, eagles, and salmon. There are also a variety of smaller animals such as marmots, squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits.

The park is also home to over 300 species of birds. Perhaps most interesting, however, is that it’s one of the few parks where you can whale-watch. Migration season is April – May and October – November. This is when you’ll have the best chance to see them. Rialot, Shi Shi and Kalaloch beaches are some of the most popular spots for whale-watching in the park. Check out the Whale Trail for more information.

Supplies You May Need

When traveling in bear country, there are a few basic supplies you should have for your well-being, comfort and safety.

Bear Spray

You’re unlikely to need bear spray, but it’s a cheap way to ensure your safety just in case. Most bears are not aggressive toward humans, but if you surprise one or get too close to its cubs, you could find yourself facing an aggressive animal.

Here are some recommendations:

Binoculars

You’ll normally want to keep at least 100 yards away from bears, for your safety and theirs. A good pair of binoculars will help you keep your distance and still see these amazing creatures.

Here are some recommendations:

 

Backpack

Don’t forget a good backpack to carry these things, along with your water and other supplies.

Here are some recommendations: