5 Places to Encounter Bears in Montana This Fall

Montana, the Treasure State, is known for its abundant wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, this state features eight nationally protected land areas, including Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. A whopping 3.9 million people visited those two parks in 2020, generating over $618.9 million in that year alone. Besides tourists, these parks are also popular among the local bear population. Continue reading to learn about the top 5 places to encounter bears in Montana this fall.

What Kind of Bears Live in Montana?

Black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) are the only two bear species that live in Montana. There are an estimated 13,000 to 17,000 black bears and 800 grizzly bears spread throughout the state’s vast natural landscape.

To compare the two bear species, grizzlies are bigger, with a larger back hump, than black bears. Grizzly bear coats come in white, light tan, blonde, reddish blonde, light brown, dark brown, or almost black. Their fur can also change color throughout the year. Alternatively, black bears can have brown, blonde, or cinnamon-colored coats. Unlike grizzlies, black bears coats generally stay the same color throughout the year. Grizzly bears weigh anywhere from 250 to 600 pounds, whereas black bears are much smaller. They clock in at around 90 to 180 pounds for females, or 130 to 660 pounds for males. While black bears are more shy, grizzlies are more dangerous due to their aggressive, confrontational nature.

Bears are a prominent part of Montana. They are so important, in fact, that grizzly bears were made the official state animal in 1983. Having said that, read on to learn which are the best places to encounter bears in Montana this fall!

1. Glacier National Park

Located in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park is one of the most frequently visited national parks in the United States. This is true for many reasons, but mainly because it is an excellent place to relax, have fun, exercise, and connect with nature. It is a great place for fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Additionally, it offers over 700 miles of hiking trails, all of which take visitors through a variety of otherworldly landscapes.

The topography of the area includes dense forests, rocky slopes, glacial landforms, and alpine meadows. Plus, there are over 100 summits, with the highest being Mount Cleveland — totaling 10,479 feet. Having said that, about 55% of this park is forested. Moist coniferous trees account for 60% of these forests, dry coniferous trees make up 30%, and deciduous trees make up a mere 10%. This vast wilderness and the abundant food sources found within it make the area a prime home for grizzlies, black bears, and other native wildlife.

2. Yellowstone National Park

The first national park in the world is Yellowstone, which was established in 1872. This park is home to over 67 mammal species, 285 bird species, 16 fish species, 5 amphibian species, and 6 reptile species. Yellowstone’s diverse ecosystem makes it is a prime location for these animals. It has high-elevation mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and even a supervolcano. The Yellowstone Caldera was formed by a volcanic eruption 640,000 years ago. It is also the largest supervolcano in North America. Along with that, Yellowstone has the largest concentration of hot springs and geysers than anywhere else in the world. The landscapes throughout this park range from sub-alpine forests and alpine meadows to sagebrush steppe and grasslands. This is ideal for all the animal species that call this park home, but it is particularly good for black bears and grizzlies.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the best places to encounter bears in Montana in the fall. This is mainly because this well-protected area encompasses all that bears need to thrive: easy access to food, water, and prime denning sites. Fall is also the perfect time to visit if the goal is to encounter bears because September and October are when they are most active. Within the park, the most common bear sightings occur in Lamar Valley, Gardiners Hole, Antelope Creek meadows, Dunraven Pass, and Hayden Valley. If you do plan a trip to this famous park this fall season, take some time to visit Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, or the Tower Fall.

3. Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

Another one of the best places to encounter bears in Montana is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. It is located in northwestern Montana and encompasses over 1.5 million acres of land. Furthermore, this vast area includes the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Scapegoat Wilderness, and the Great Bear Wilderness. Bears love this protected park, which provides them with ample space and abundant food sources. Here, black bears and grizzlies have their pick of wild berries, fish, other smaller mammals, and a variety of flowering plants like roots, tubers, and grasses. Furthermore, visitors who come to this park in the fall get a chance to experience true, untouched wilderness by exploring any of the various hiking or horseback riding trails throughout the area.

4. Flathead National Forest

With over 2.4 million acres of protected land, Flathead National Forest is one of the best places to encounter bears in Montana this fall. Additionally, the forest is named after the Flathead Native Americans who live in the area and is home to approximately 7,000 members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. It spans across the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana and features rich vegetation, a variety of wildlife, and extensive wilderness areas. Visiting in the fall gives you the best chance of spotting bears as they explore the forest’s trails and bulk up for hibernation.

8. Kootenai National Forest

Located in the northwestern corner of Montana, Kootenai National Forest consists of over 2.2 million acres of dense forests and grasslands. This makes it almost three times the size of Rhode Island! Many grizzlies and black bears call this national forest home thanks to its perfect blend of habitats. Besides bears, Kootenai houses 190 species of birds, including bald eagles, great blue herons, kingfishers, and dippers. It is also one of the few places in the contiguous United States where you can see deer, elk, moose, wolves, mountain lions, and woodland caribou.

Human visitors who come in the fall have a high chance of encountering bears and other wildlife. Having said that, it is also a great time for hiking, fishing, and canoeing. The average daytime temperatures in fall range from 35 to 65, depending on how early or late in the season you visit. Since it is not too hot, fall is the perfect time to explore the grounds! Check out Kootenai Falls, which is one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the northwest United States. Brave the famous swinging bridge to enjoy this spectacular water feature, or traverse Stone Hill for some thrilling rock climbing adventures. Plus, many of the trails here are dog- and kid-friendly, making it a perfect autumnal destination to bring every member of your family! No matter where you go in this national forest, always stay proactive and practice bear safety while in the woods. Montana is bear country, after all!

Summary of the Top 5 Places to Encounter Bears in Montana This Fall