Mid-summer is coming to an end, but as school bells ring and summer field trips dwindle, the nation’s national parks are still bustling with activity. In particular, the native bear populations are as active as ever. As cubs grow larger and the urge to put on fat for winter increases, bear sightings are even more common in the United States.

As bear activity peaks across the country, the question becomes where to see these hundreds of bears. While there are many safety tips to keep in mind, observing a bear from a respectful distance in its natural habitat can be an awe-inspiring experience.

However, not all national parks are the same when it comes to bear sightings. While bears are common in many national parks, areas with smaller populations may be harder for the average visitor to spot. While national parks like Redwoods in California have a documented bear population, it’s the Roosevelt elk that tends to draw crowds.

Fortunately, the National Park Service (NPS) has released some hard numbers on bear populations in national parks. While these national parks may have grizzly bears, black bears, or both, there are undoubtedly plenty of predators roaming around.

Which US state has the most bears?

When it comes to pure numbers, Katmai National Park & ​​Preserve is unbeatable

It’s perhaps no surprise that Alaska leads the pack when it comes to bear populations in the wild. Bears roam freely in all nine of the state’s national parks. Brown bears, or grizzly bears, are the most common species, but polar bears are also found in some of Alaska’s national parks.

The remote Katmai National Park & ​​Preserve has the largest bear population of any U.S. national park. With an estimated 2,200 brown bears in the area, you’ll be hard-pressed not to see a bear in this rarely visited area. Katmai National Park is only accessible by plane or boat and has no roads connecting it to the rest of the state. The result? A haven for grizzly bears, which feast on the Brooks River’s annual salmon runs.

Katmai National Park & ​​Preserve is one of the best places in the United States for safe bear viewing and offers arguably one of the most unique wild bear viewing experiences in the world. Platforms have been created so guests can watch the bears hunt for fish at Brooks Falls and along the river.

Bear sightings peak in July and September when salmon runs are most intense. Brooks Camp is a unique viewing facility that provides safety for both guests and bears, allowing visitors to get much closer to bears in their natural habitat than is normally recommended.

Given the effort it takes to reach the park, there is no doubt that those who make the journey will be rewarded for their efforts.

Which of the lower 48 US states has the most bears?

With black and grizzly bears, Glacier National Park has the most bears in the Lower 48

As incredible as Katmai and its 2,000 bears are, the remote Alaskan national park isn’t a realistic destination for every bear lover. Fortunately, Glacier National Park in Montana has a very healthy bear population, and many of the residents have no problem with them wandering near the roads and trails.

Glacier National Park is home to around 1,000 bears, including over 300 grizzly bears and 600 black bears. Glacier National Park is one of the few regions in the contiguous United States where grizzly bears remain, making it the perfect place to safely enjoy this giant.

Bear sightings are reported daily in the park during peak season, and while some guests think twice before visiting Glacier National Park because of the large number of bears, others see it as another reason to get in the car.

The abundance of berries around the park makes it a sanctuary for both species of bears, providing ample food in a protected area. Especially in the Many Glacier area or along hiking trails such as the Huckleberry Trail, one of the most dangerous hikes in the U.S.Because Due to the frequent encounters with bears, sightings of one type or another are almost guaranteed.

Honorable Mention: National Park with the Most Spontaneous Bear Sightings

Up to 15 bears are sighted every day in Yellowstone National Park.

Katmai and Glacier National Parks have the largest bear populations in the United States, but there are numerous places to see bears throughout the country.

Yellowstone National Park has one of the highest bear populations in the country and, thanks to the park, there are more spontaneous bear sightings here than in any other park in the United States.

Yellowstone National Park has the highest number of bear sightings reported in any U.S. national park, with up to 15 bears sighted there each day during peak season. Like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park has both black bears and grizzly bears thanks to its abundance of food and shelter. Sightings of mothers and cubs of both species are not uncommon in the park.

Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley are two of the most common places in Yellowstone National Park to see bears, but early morning visitors are particularly lucky when driving along scenic roads.

Bears are one of the most unique creatures in the U.S. ecosystem. Bears should always be respected and given ample space, but guests who wish to safely view them in their natural habitat have many options.

With around 2,200 grizzly bears, Katmai National Park & ​​Preserve is the national park with the most bears in the United States. Aside from Alaska, Glacier National Park in Montana is the national park with the most bears in the lower 48 states. Nearly 1,000 bears call this region home.