Discover the best times to see Rocky Mountain National Park's incredible wildlife. Plan your visit around elk rut, moose calving, bighorn lambing, and more seasonal spectacles.
Plan your visit around peak wildlife activity throughout the year
Wildlife is most active during the "golden hours" - the first 2-3 hours after sunrise and the last 2-3 hours before sunset. Many animals rest during midday heat.
Bring binoculars (8x42 or 10x42), a spotting scope for distant viewing, and a telephoto lens (300mm+) for photography. Dress in layers and bring water.
Maintain at least 75 feet from elk and deer, 120 feet from moose and bears. Never approach, feed, or follow wildlife. Use telephoto lenses for close-up photos.
Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park for elk, Kawuneeche Valley for moose, Sheep Lakes for bighorn sheep, and Trail Ridge Road for alpine species like marmots and pikas.
Elk calving, moose calving, bighorn lambing, bears emerge from hibernation, marmots and pikas become active.
Peak wildlife viewing! All species active. Newborn animals visible. Alpine tundra species accessible via Trail Ridge Road.
THE ELK RUT! Bugling bulls, moose rut, bighorn sheep rut, bears feeding heavily before hibernation. Best season for wildlife photography.
Elk and moose at lower elevations, bighorn sheep on south-facing slopes. Bears and marmots hibernating. Pikas active under snow!