Jace Lamonica
You’re out hiking, enjoying the peaceful woods, when a bear casually appears nearby. In certain parts of the United States, encounters like this happen more often than you’d expect. Some states are home to large bear populations, making sightings relatively common. Here’s a look at the places where you’re most likely to spot a wild bear in action.
Tennessee
Tennessee has an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 black bears, mostly in East Tennessee. About 1,900 of them live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bear sightings are common near Gatlinburg and park areas, where the animal often forages near cabins, roads, and trash bins—especially during the warmer months when activity increases.
Minnesota
With an estimated 12,000 to 16,000 black bears, Minnesota sees most activity in its northern regions. These bears tend to avoid humans but still show up near hiking trails, backwoods, cabins, and campgrounds. Sightings increase in places like Voyageurs National Park as bears search for food in late summer.
Alaska
Alaska is home to about 30,000 brown bears and an estimated 100,000 black bears–the largest combined bear population in the country. Bear sightings aren’t even limited to remote parks like Katmai. In fact, in cities like Juneau and Anchorage, bears are commonly spotted near trails, garbage cans, and even schoolyards.
Montana
Montana’s bear scene isn’t limited to the backcountry. Glacier National Park has about 800 grizzlies and thousands of black bears. Hikers expect to see one, especially on trails or near campgrounds. Bear spray is standard gear since sightings often happen right near roads, parking lots, and scenic pull-off spots.
Washington
You don’t have to go deep into the woods to spot a black bear in Washington. One can see them in the Cascades, around Olympic National Park, or just beyond backyard fences. Grizzlies may be gone, but black bears still make regular appearances near trails and forested neighborhoods.
Wyoming
Grizzly bear sightings are frequent in Wyoming’s Grand Teton and Yellowstone regions, especially around riverbanks and popular hiking routes. Bears here are often visible from roads or scenic overlooks, particularly in early morning and evening. Conservation efforts have helped increase the bear population—and that means more public encounters, too.
Idaho
Idaho’s black bear population is estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000. While grizzlies are rare, black bear sightings are frequent in the Panhandle, especially around Priest Lake, Selkirk trails, and wooded backcountry routes. Bears often venture close to campsites and roadsides, particularly during berry season or dry summers.
California
California has 30,000 to 35,000 black bears, and sightings are routine in places like Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. You might encounter one near campsites, dumpsters, and even inside vehicles. In the Sierra foothills, suburban bear encounters have become increasingly common, with bears wandering into neighborhoods in search of easy food.
Colorado
Colorado’s estimated 17,000 to 20,000 black bears are frequently spotted in mountain towns like Aspen, Estes Park, and Boulder. The number of sightings has climbed, fueled by bears searching trash, exploring neighborhoods, and following footpaths. In fact, human-bear interactions peak in late summer when natural food sources start running low.
North Carolina
North Carolina has over 20,000 black bears, with frequent sightings in both mountain and coastal areas. While the Smokies are well-known, the highest encounter rates are along the eastern coast in places like the Alligator River Refuge. Bears here are commonly seen crossing roads or roaming near farms and towns.
