These 8 Pennsylvania Areas Are Seeing More Black Bear Activity This Year

Bears aren’t dangerous as long as you don’t disturb them. Most of the time they look almost like giant stuffed animals, but it’s still best to watch them from a safe distance.

These Pennsylvania areas have recorded a noticeable increase in activity this year. Wildlife officials tracked the rise across these specific locations compared to previous seasons.

Expanding bear populations combined with shrinking natural habitat likely explain part of the trend. Warmer months tend to push sightings higher anyway, as bears search further for food sources.

Residents near these areas report more frequent encounters, sometimes within neighborhoods rather than just deep forest. Officials recommend basic precautions like securing trash and avoiding leaving food outside unattended.

1. Coleman Memorial Park

Lebanon is famous for its bologna, so maybe the bears just wanted a sandwich. Jokes aside, city officials confirmed black bear sightings in the summer of 2026 around Coleman Park, Aspen’s, and Canal Commons.

That news surprised plenty of locals. Lebanon is a busy small city, not a remote mountain village.

Still, the green space near the edge of town gives wildlife plenty of room to explore.

Coleman Memorial Park covers about 99 acres, and more than half of it is natural forest. Old, sizable trees like Sweet Cherry and Black Gum grow here.

For a bear, that shady cover works like a hallway connecting food, water, and quiet hiding spots.

The park is more than trees, though. A 1.6-mile nature trail winds past the ruins of the North Lebanon Furnace, a reminder of the area’s iron-making past.

Walking it feels like a history lesson with bonus birdsong.

Families also come for baseball fields, basketball courts, disc golf, playgrounds, and an amphitheater. There’s even a biking pump park for kids who like bumps and jumps.

With so many people around, bears usually stay shy, but food scraps can tempt them closer.

Here’s the practical part. Pack out every wrapper and never leave coolers sitting open at a picnic table.

If a bear shows up, stay calm, give it space, and back away slowly while talking in a normal voice.

At home, bring bird feeders in during warm months and store trash cans in a garage if possible. Bears have noses far stronger than a bloodhound’s, and a leftover burger smells like a dinner invitation.

A trip to this historic urban oasis is still well worth it, just with eyes open. Find it at 1400 W Maple St, Lebanon, PA 17046.

2. Penn Hills

June 2, 2026, turned into a memorable day for folks in Penn Hills. Residents reported a black bear near Ross Street Park and along Runette Street, somewhere between Lincoln Road and Mount Carmel.

Honestly, the location makes sense. Penn Hills sits just east of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, and it is one big, bumpy, wooded township.

Those steep hills and leafy ravines give animals an easy way to move around without being noticed.

Picture it from a bear’s point of view. There are berry bushes, quiet creek beds, and forest patches between neighborhoods.

Then there are garbage cans, which to a bear are basically vending machines with lids.

The township takes pride in its parks and wants residents to enjoy them. Its goal is to offer wholesome outdoor spaces where families can play, relax, and breathe some fresh air.

That mission also creates cozy pockets for foxes, deer, turkeys, and apparently bears.

So what should neighbors do? Start with the trash.

Put cans out the morning of pickup instead of the night before, and rinse out anything sticky or smelly.

Pet food bowls should come inside too. The same goes for grills, which hold greasy smells long after dinner is done.

A quick scrub can save you from a midnight visitor.

If you spot a bear while walking the dog, keep your pup on a leash and turn around calmly. Never run, and never try to get closer for a photo.

Your phone camera has a zoom button for a reason.

Black bears in Pennsylvania rarely attack people. Most just want a snack and a quiet exit.

You can learn more about local parks at the Penn Hills Municipal Building, 102 Duff Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235.

3. East Goshen Park

Southeastern Pennsylvania is known for tidy lawns, busy roads, and plenty of shopping centers. Bears are not usually on the menu.

Yet during the first week of June 2026, a black bear was observed moving right through East Goshen Township in Chester County.

Wildlife experts have an explanation for these visits. Young male bears often leave their mothers in late spring and wander far, searching for their own territory.

Some walk dozens of miles, crossing highways and neighborhoods like teenagers on a very long road trip.

East Goshen gives these travelers some green spots to pause. The township has several parks and recreation areas, with East Goshen Park acting as a true community hub.

It even hosts story times for toddlers, which is about as wholesome as it gets.

The township also loves getting people outdoors. In September 2026, it launched the Goshen 250 Nature Challenge, inviting residents to identify local plants and animals.

A black bear would definitely earn bonus points on that checklist, though it’s best recorded from far away.

Here’s a smart tip for families. Teach kids that if they see a bear, they should stop, stay together, and walk back toward an adult.

Screaming and running can make any animal nervous.

Neighbors can help too. Report sightings to local police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission so others stay alert.

Sharing information calmly works much better than spreading panic online.

Most wandering bears keep moving within a day or two. They are looking for a home, not a neighborhood block party.

Keep food secured, and the visitor will likely stroll off on its own.

For park details and nature challenge info, stop by the East Goshen Township Building, 1580 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

4. Holland

Some people check their doorbell camera and find a package thief. One home on Doris Avenue got something much hairier.

In early June 2026, home surveillance video caught a black bear strolling through the Holland section of Northampton Township.

That wasn’t the only sighting. Another report placed a bear near St. Leonards and Middle Holland roads.

Suddenly, the quiet Bucks County community had everybody watching their backyards a little more closely.

Holland is an unincorporated area about twelve miles northeast of Philadelphia. Since the 1970s, it has grown into a commuter community full of tract houses and neat cul-de-sacs.

It is not exactly where anyone expects to meet a 200-pound mammal.

Look at a map, though, and the puzzle gets easier. Nearby Tyler State Park, Core Creek Park, and the Churchville Nature Center offer woods, streams, and open fields.

Those green patches act like stepping stones across the suburbs.

Fun fact time. Black bears are excellent climbers and strong swimmers, and they can run up to 30 miles per hour.

So outrunning one is not a real plan, no matter how many laps you jogged in gym class.

The better plan is prevention. Keep garage doors closed, store birdseed in sealed bins, and bring trash out only on collection day.

Motion lights can also discourage curious visitors after dark.

If a bear wanders into your yard, go inside and let it leave. Make sure it has a clear path out, and never corner it near a fence or shed.

Those camera clips make for fun family viewing, and they remind everyone that nature lives closer than it seems. The Doris Avenue sighting happened near 236 Doris Ave, Holland, PA 18966.

5. Montgomery Township’s Unexpected Shopper

Imagine heading out for groceries and spotting a bear near the parking lot. On June 26, 2026, a black bear appeared on the 300 block of North Wales Road in Montgomery Township.

It then ambled toward the woods by Montgomery Commons, apparently skipping the checkout line.

Montgomery Township is a busy suburb north of Philadelphia. Traffic hums, shoppers bustle, and houses sit fairly close together.

It’s the last place most people would picture a wild bear on a summer afternoon.

Even crowded suburbs hold hidden green paths. Wooded strips behind stores, creek edges, and park trails can form natural corridors.

Wildlife uses them like secret side streets.

The township has plenty of these outdoor spaces. Friendship Park is a favorite, with an ADA-accessible playground and pickleball courts.

Other parks offer walking trails and open fields that welcome people and, now and then, four-legged surprises.

So how should you react if a bear pops up near a busy road? First, keep your distance and stay in your car if you’re already inside.

Crowds gathering around a bear can scare it into traffic, which is dangerous for everyone.

Drivers should slow down near wooded edges, especially at dawn and dusk. That’s when bears, deer, and other animals tend to move around the most.

Here’s a quirky detail. A black bear’s sense of smell may be about seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s.

That means a dropped French fry in a parking lot can be a real attraction.

Tossing litter in bins does more than keep things tidy. It helps keep wild animals wild.

Township news and park info are available at the Montgomery Township Building, 1001 Stump Rd, Montgomeryville, PA 18936.

6. Cumru Township

Out along Gouglersville Road, the scenery shifts from town to country pretty quickly. Fields roll out wide, trees line the edges, and deer are a common sight.

This summer, a black bear joined the lineup too.

The bear was confirmed in Cumru Township, just south of Reading in Berks County. It was last spotted on June 30 along the 300 block of Gouglersville Road.

After that, it seemed to fade back into the green.

Honestly, this area looks like bear-friendly territory. Many properties here cover scenic acres, and some are enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green program.

That program rewards owners for keeping land as farms or forest instead of building on it.

Preserved land is great news for wildlife. Open meadows grow berries and insects, while wooded patches offer shade and shelter.

A bear searching for new territory would find plenty to like.

Rural living comes with its own bear rules. Keep chicken coops secure with sturdy wire and a solid door.

Bears will happily eat chicken feed, and sometimes the chickens too.

Beehives are another big temptation. The old cartoon image of a bear loving honey is actually true, though bears also crave the protein-rich bee larvae.

Electric fencing is one of the best ways to protect hives.

Compost piles deserve attention as well. Avoid tossing in meat, bones, or greasy leftovers.

Stick to veggie scraps and yard waste to keep the pile less tasty.

This slice of Berks County remains a peaceful place with a real country feel. It just happens to have some very large neighbors wandering through now and then.

The sighting area sits near 620 Gouglersville Road, Reading, PA 19608.

7. North Park

Kayakers usually watch for geese, turtles, and the occasional big fish. On June 17, 2026, North Park Lake served up a much bigger surprise.

A black bear was filmed paddling right across the water like it had a meeting on the other side.

That clip spread fast, and it’s easy to see why. Most people don’t realize bears are strong swimmers.

They can cross rivers and lakes with ease, using their big paws like oars.

North Park is Allegheny County’s largest park, stretching over 3,000 acres. It spreads across Hampton, McCandless, and Pine Townships north of Pittsburgh.

More than half of that land is wooded, which gives wildlife tons of room.

The 66-acre lake is the star of the show. People come to kayak, fish, and walk the loop around the shore.

Golf courses and long hiking trails keep everyone else busy.

Nature lovers should visit the Latodami Nature Center. It protects about 420 acres of fields, forests, and wetlands, making it a hot spot for birds, frogs, and wildflowers.

It’s also a reminder of how wild this park truly is.

Paddlers, listen up. If a bear is swimming nearby, give it lots of room and never block its path to shore.

A tired, cornered animal is not a happy one.

Hikers should make some noise on quiet trails. Chatting with friends or clapping now and then lets bears know you’re coming.

Most will slip away long before you see them.

North Park still makes an awesome day out, with a small chance of a very furry swim buddy. Start at the North Park Lake Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101.

8. Media

Media calls itself Everybody’s Hometown, and one visitor took that invitation very literally. On June 9, 2026, a home security camera captured a black bear wandering the borough’s streets.

It’s safe to say nobody had that on their bingo card.

Media sits in Delaware County, west of Philadelphia. It’s known for brick sidewalks, shady trees, and a walkable downtown packed with shops and places to eat.

Neighbors wave, kids ride bikes, and the vibe is friendly and relaxed.

So where did the bear come from? Just outside town lies Ridley Creek State Park, with more than 2,600 acres of meadows and woodlands.

That much open land can support deer, foxes, owls, and a passing bear or two.

From there, a short trip into town isn’t hard for an animal that can walk miles in a single night. Leafy backyards and quiet streets make easy routes, especially before sunrise.

Walkable towns need walkable safety tips. If you’re out early with a stroller or dog, keep an eye on hedges and alleys.

Spot a bear, and simply cross the street or head the other way.

Business owners can help by keeping dumpsters closed and locked. Restaurants create delicious smells, and bears are not picky eaters.

A sealed lid makes a big difference.

Fun fact for history buffs. Media became the county seat in 1850, and the town was planned around its courthouse.

Bears were around long before any of that, so maybe this was just a homecoming.