Where to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain

What wildlife can you see in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots and pikas are the usual sightings, with coyotes and birds of prey too.

Guests on the wildlife tours report bighorns, moose, pikas, marmots, elk and deer in a single day. Black bears and mountain lions live here too, and need the widest berth.

Where are the best places to see elk?

In the meadows and where meadows meet forest: Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the valleys near the east entrances.

The park says elk can be seen any time of year and any time of day. In summer many move up to higher meadows and the tundra along Trail Ridge Road, and in autumn they come down to the valleys.

Where can you see moose?

The park's best bet is along Highway 34 in the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side; moose are becoming more common on the east side too, near rivers and lakes.

An adult moose stands five to seven feet at the shoulder and big bulls weigh up to 1,500 pounds. Guests on the Estes Park jeep tours report seeing cows with calves, so look in the willows along any river.

Where do you see bighorn sheep?

At Sheep Lakes and in Horseshoe Park, about 2 miles from the Fall River Visitor Center, most often from May through mid-August.

The sheep come down from the mountainside to lick mud for its minerals. The area also draws coyotes and elk, and it gets busy in the autumn elk rut, so arrive early for parking.

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Where can you see marmots and pikas?

On the rocky alpine tundra: marmots on rocks along Trail Ridge and Old Fall River Roads, and pikas along the Tundra Communities Trail.

Pikas are usually heard before they are seen: listen for a sharp, short bark from the boulder fields. See Trail Ridge Road for the stops.

What is the best time of day to see wildlife?

Early morning and evening, when elk and moose feed in the open and the roads are quieter.

Guests say morning tours see the most; one jeep guest who went out at 1:30 p.m. still saw most of their list, including pikas. The private morning tour gets into the park early with a naturalist.

How close can you get to wildlife?

At least 25 yards (75 feet, about two buses) from all wildlife, and 40 yards (120 feet) from moose and bears.

Feeding or harassing wildlife is illegal in all national parks. The park notes that moose can run at 35 mph. Use binoculars or a zoom lens, and stay by the car when elk are on the road.

When is the elk rut, and are wildlife tours worth it?

The rut peaks in September and October, when bulls bugle in the meadows; a guided wildlife tour is worth it if the animals are your main goal.

Guides know where the animals were yesterday, carry scopes and handle the timed entry. Guests on the full-day wildlife tour and the jeep tours mention moose, bighorns, elk and pikas in the same outing.

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