25 States Where Bears Continue to Roam Freely

In many US states, bears are viewed as strong indicators of the wildness of our landscapes. Thanks to careful preservation efforts, these impressive animals are thriving, returning to their natural homes. This revival has increased human and bear interactions, encouraging new ways for us to live together peacefully. It’s clear that we all have an important role in taking care of our environment, aiming to create a good balance between human activities and the well-being of our wildlife.

Alaska

Alaska is home to an estimated 30,000 grizzly bears and 100,000 black bears. Due to the number of wild bears, Alaska is dubbed the bear capital of the world. You’re likely to bump into a bear in places such as Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park. Alaska’s environment is largely untouched wilderness, filled with vast forests, mountains, and thriving ecosystems that provide ideal conditions for these large mammals.

California

While the grizzly bear may not be roaming wild in California anymore, its smaller relative, the black bear, is quite common. Its range includes the Sierra Nevada mountains and various coastal areas, and there are approximately 30,000–40,000 black bears across the state. 

Washington

Almost mirroring its neighbor, Oregon, Washington provides a suitable habitat for approximately 25,000 – 30,000 black bears. Most notable are the sightings in the North Cascade Range and Olympic National Parks. There are also roughly 500 grizzlies in Washington, making it a double bear species state.

Montana

Montana is a diverse state with rugged terrain, Montana sets the stage for around 15,000 grizzly and black bears in total (2,000 and 13,000, respectively). These animals usually roam the primeval forests of Glacier National Park and along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Oregon

Oregon has lush forests and some of the freshest air in the US, ideal for a large population of black bears. Found in areas like the Cascade Range and Siskiyou National Forest, there are about 25,000 – 30,000 black bears that call Oregon home. The state also has dozens of ‘grizzly’ place names that reflect how in the past, grizzlies roamed the state alongside black bears. 

Idaho

Idaho is home to around 30,000 black bears, but it also has a very small population of grizzly bears, roughly 100. Wander into the remote wilderness of Panhandle, Clearwater, and Central Idaho regions, and you might spot the bears foraging (although it’s best to watch them from a far distance).

Colorado

Colorado is home to over 18,000 black bears! They usually reside in the state’s abundant wild lands such as the Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado does not have a grizzly bear population but a subspecies of the black bear called the Cinnamon Bear has an established population.

Utah

More than 4,000 bears live in Utah and mostly inhabit the undisturbed forested areas in the Uinta Mountains and the Southern Rockies. Similar to a couple of other states, black bears are the only residents of Utah’s wilderness.

Wyoming

Wyoming has an estimated population of over 700 grizzly bears. There are no accurate estimates on the population of black bears in Wyoming. Most grizzly bears live in the ranges of the Yellowstone National Park which spans across an area of more than 3,400 square miles. 

Arizona

Arizona, home to approximately 2,500 bears, isn’t as populated with these omnivores as some other states. The black bears in this state are mainly found in woodland terrains of Mogollon Rim and the Sky Islands, though sightings are rare outside of these areas. 

New Mexico

New Mexico is home to roughly 5,500 black bears. Perhaps the most interesting fact about black bears in New Mexico is that every mountain range in the state has a bear population. The Gila Wilderness, one of their favorite spots, is a veritable bear paradise due to the abundance of oak, berries, and other food sources. 

Minnesota

Minnesota has approximately 15,500 black bears strewn across its wilderness. You’re likely to spot them roaming freely in the northern forests, feasting on their favorite meals – berries, acorns, and fish. Minnesotan hunters hunt roughly 230 black bears annually to maintain their numbers. Very few hunting licenses are given for this very reason. 

Nevada

Nevada has a black bear population of between 300 and 500, with most of the bears living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Black bears love areas with oak shrubs and berry-producing manzanitas but their population is low primarily because Nevada doesn’t have much forest and meadow coverage.

Arkansas

The groves of Arkansas are home to an estimated 5,000 black bears. Their primary living locations include the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains, as these areas are rich in nuts and berries. Unfortunately, their numbers have diminished drastically from roughly 50,000 during pre-settlement times.

Louisiana

Louisiana has a black bear population of roughly 1,200. A vastly wooded state, it offers lush habitats in low-lying areas like the Atchafalaya River Basin. The Louisiana black bear (a black bear subspecies) also roams the land. This species doesn’t differ much from the black bear, but it does have a longer and narrower skull. 

Tennessee

This state, especially the Great Smoky Mountains, is home to roughly 5,500 black bears. With an average bear per square mile ratio higher than any other place in the US at 2 black bears per square mile, it isn’t uncommon to see black bears wander near or into human settlements and towns. 

Maine

Housing approximately 35,000 black bears, the forests and scattered wetlands of Maine serve as natural habitats. This state provides dense cover and an abundance of berries, nuts and fish that form the bear’s diet. A sizable portion of Maine’s landscape comprises of mixed hardwood and softwood forests, which are ideal for black bears. 

Florida

An estimated 4,000 black bears live in Florida and are sprinkled throughout the state’s extensive forests, swamps, and protected reserves, but particularly in Central and North Florida. They prefer inhabiting mixed shrub forests, like oak scrub and palmetto, along with swamp basin regions. 

North Carolina

North Carolina is where approximately 20,000 black bears reside. Favored habitats in this state are the dense woods of the Smoky Mountains and the secluded maritime forests along the coastline. Human interaction is relatively low here, making it a prime location for black bears to live. 

South Dakota

South Dakota, known for its splendid Black Hills, is also a lively habitat for black bears. These agile climbers are typically found living in the thick forest cover, free to roam and forage. According to the authorities, bear sightings are becoming increasingly common and the population currently equals around 200. 

Wisconsin

America’s Dairyland might be famous for its cheese and dairy production, but it’s also notable for the population of black bears. Nestled predominantly within the heavily forested Northern and Central regions, approximately 24,000 bears call Wisconsin home. During the warmer months, these bears forage berry patches, climb trees for a nutritious snack, or even venture into backyards in search of easy food. 

Pennsylvania

The Keystone State has a healthy population of about 20,000 black bears. They’ve made the sprawling forests of the state their playground, especially in the rural northern and central parts, including the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Appalachian Mountain ranges that stretch diagonally across the state.

Michigan

The Great Lake State is home to around 12,000 black bears. Generally found in the northern lower and upper peninsulas, these bears are attracted to Michigan’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, and suburban areas. Particularly, they thrive in regions like the Isle Royale National Park, Manistee National Forest, and Hiawatha National Forest. 

South Carolina

Bears in South Carolina are mostly found in the mountainous regions of the northwest, specifically in the Pisgah National Forest. The state is home to approximately 1,000 black bears. They sometimes wander closer to towns or campgrounds when tempting food sources are present. 

Virginia

The state boasts a black bear population of over 18,000, most of whom live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While they are commonly spotted in these mountains, they also like to visit and spend time in the Great Dismal Swamp, Shenandoah National Park, and the Appalachian Trail. 

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