Moose dwell largely within the northern areas of North America. They like colder climates and forest areas with streams, lakes, and ponds the place they’ll discover meals and funky off. They’re widespread all through most of Canada, Alaska, New England, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Northwest.
There are a lot of well-liked RV locations which are nice locations to see moose. Nationwide parks in mountain areas, resembling these in Alaska, Washington, Colorado, and Michigan make scenic tenting locations and still have thriving moose populations. Look ahead to them as you drive and hike by way of wilderness areas.
In case you’re in areas recognized to have moose and also you see plenty of individuals pulled over to the facet of the street, it’s typically an excellent wager to tug over as nicely. They could be watching moose or different wildlife. The truth is, it may be simpler to observe for crowds, fairly than maintaining your eyes peeled for moose themselves!
And whereas it’s true that moose are goofy-looking animals, they are often critically harmful once they really feel threatened. Male moose can weigh as much as 1,800 kilos and stand as much as 7 toes tall on the shoulder. They’ll additionally run as much as 35 mph in brief bursts.
Moose assaults are uncommon, however they’ve been recognized to cost, kick, or stomp people at occasions. They’re most aggressive throughout mating season and calving season when moms are defending their younger. In addition they don’t like canine, and look at them as predators like wolves.
While you’re waiting for moose, ensure to not get too shut. An excellent rule of thumb is to make use of your precise thumb. Prolong your arm in entrance of you along with your thumb up. In case you can see any a part of the moose round your thumb, you’re too shut. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to get a greater view of the moose. By no means attempt to feed moose, and hold canine leashed and beneath management to maintain them from upsetting these wild animals.
Listed here are a number of locations within the U.S. which have excessive moose populations, and the place you could have an excellent probability of seeing one your self.
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has moose, elk, bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and smaller mammals like yellow-bellied marmots and pikas. The park has two sides from which to enter – the east facet close to Estes Park and the west facet close to Grand Lake. Either side have areas the place moose wish to congregate.
Additionally, moose don’t care about park boundaries – start to maintain your eyes peeled as you make your strategy to the park. And I as soon as noticed a moose laying down instantly in entrance of the “Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park” signal on the entrance…virtually as if he have been being paid to pose there.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
The Kawuneeche Valley close to the western entrance is a lovely space with quite a lot of hikes. The Coyote Valley Path is a straightforward, kid-friendly path that’s paved for strollers and wheelchairs. You get sweeping views of the valley and the beginning of the Colorado River. There are additionally a number of animals that go to this space, so it’s a great place to observe for moose, elk, and different creatures. The Holzwarth Historic Website is a enjoyable spot for households, and children can find out about what life was like for the individuals who lived and vacationed right here 100 years in the past.
You can even search for moose all alongside the Colorado River, which runs by way of the western a part of the park. In fact, they want water to drink, and it supplies nutrient-rich vegetation for them to eat. However moose can even overheat at fairly low temperatures, so rivers and lakes present nice locations for them to chill off.
Sprague Lake is on the japanese facet of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. It’s one other well-liked spot for moose, and I as soon as noticed a mom moose and her two calves standing within the water on a summer season day. In case you don’t see moose proper within the lake, search for them within the close by forests across the lake.
Close by RV Campgrounds
Timber Creek Campground is on the west facet of the park, about eight miles from Grand Lake. It’s open throughout the summer season, often from Might to October. The campground is first-come, first-served. There are not any hookups, however there’s a seasonal dump station. Grand Lake/Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park KOA, previously generally known as Elk Creek Campground, is exterior the park, on the western facet in Grand Lake. It has full hookups, laundry, showers, a canine park, and a pond for fishing.
Different Out of doors Actions
There are tons of hikes at Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, starting from simple and kid-friendly to extraordinarily difficult. The hike to Alberta Falls from both the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead is a fairly one and this is without doubt one of the most-visited areas of the park. It’s a few 1.6-mile round-trip hike, with simply 160 toes of elevation acquire.
You can even spend a day fishing at many various factors within the Colorado River. In case you’re new to the world, or need to strive fly fishing for the primary time, contemplate hiring a information from one of many many clothes shops close to the park. They’ll take you into RMNP, discover nice spots to fish, and provide you with recommendations on find out how to land an enormous one.
Additionally, make sure you take the Path Experience Highway drive from the western facet of the park to the japanese facet. The street is usually open from round Memorial Day by way of October, however the actual opening and shutting days change relying on the climate. Be able to cease on the many pullouts and overlooks alongside the drive for superb views and presumably for wildlife as nicely. There may be additionally a Customer Heart and restaurant on the summit. You’ll need to cease and be taught extra in regards to the alpine areas of the park right here. You can even take a brief, steep path up a bit greater for extra nice views and presumably some sightings of yellow-bellied marmots and different wildlife. Hear for the marmots’ distinctive whistling noises that earned them the nickname “whistle pig” and watch them frolic within the alpine tundra.
Grand Teton Nationwide Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton Nationwide Park is thought for its sweeping mountain views, glowing lakes, and number of wildlife. The park can be dwelling to fairly just a few moose, and this is without doubt one of the finest locations within the nation to see moose of their pure habitat. Listed here are some ideas for recognizing them.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
There are three well-liked areas to view moose at Grand Teton.
Moose-Wilson Highway is a slender drive that passes marshes, beaver ponds, and underbrush – all areas stuffed with tasty moose meals and the place they love to hang around. Focus particularly on the areas close to the beaver ponds, as these are a favourite of theirs.
Oxbow Bend is alongside the Snake River, the place the banks are stuffed with willows – one other favourite moose meals. Look ahead to them among the many timber, and hold your eyes peeled for different wildlife together with otters, bald eagles, and trumpeter swans.
Gros Ventre River is east of Freeway 89. Close to the river, there are open flats and willow-lined riverbanks the place the moose wish to congregate and eat.
Close by RV Campgrounds
Colter Bay RV Park is subsequent to Jackson Lake contained in the park. It has full hookups, laundry services, showers, eating places, and a grocery retailer. You’ll additionally discover a marina for boating on the lake, plus a present store, a customer middle, and horse corrals the place you’ll be able to e-book a trip. This campground is reservation-only, and reservations refill rapidly.
Gros Ventre Campground is the biggest campground within the park, and the closest to the city of Jackson. It’s shaded by cottonwood timber and is inside strolling distance of the Gros Ventre River. There are electrical hookups, a dump station, and ice and firewood on the market. The campground is open from Might by way of October. It is a nice campground for moose sightings close by.
Different Out of doors Actions
There are many actions to do at Grand Teton. There are greater than 250 miles of trails to hike within the park so you could find one for any talent degree. The Cascade Canyon Path is an particularly scenic and well-liked hike, with waterfalls and mountain views. It’s a 13.6-mile hike with 1,300 toes of elevation acquire. You’ll be able to reduce 4 miles of that distance by taking the shuttle boat throughout Jenny Lake. There may be additionally the choice to hike to Hidden Falls – a few mile from the boat drop – if you need a shorter hike or a scenic detour.
You can even paddleboard or kayak on Jenny, String, Leigh, or Jackson Lake. There are many locations to fish within the park, in addition to biking trails and horseback rides. Hold your eyes peeled for wild animals and birds as nicely. Lastly, make sure you spend a day exploring close by Jackson Gap. You’ll discover a number of choices for out of doors actions like snowboarding and snowmobiling in winter, and fly fishing, climbing, rafting, and extra throughout the summer season. The city additionally has upscale purchasing and plenty of stylish eating spots to deal with your self after a day outdoor.
Baxter State Park, Maine
Baxter State Park in Maine has a big wilderness space, making it an excellent place to see moose. Your finest possibilities of seeing them are at daybreak and nightfall every day, which is once they start to get extra energetic. In addition they are typically extra energetic in late spring and summer season – from mid-Might by way of July – and within the fall throughout mating season. Bull moose even have their antlers absolutely grown within the fall, making a formidable show.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
Moose are likely to congregate in just a few totally different areas of the park. Sandy Stream Pond and Stump Pond are two of the favored spots for each moose and moose-watchers. These areas can get crowded with individuals hoping to catch a glimpse of a moose, particularly in peak seasons. The Golden Highway is a 96-mile logging street that runs to the Canadian border. It’s a less-crowded spot to observe for moose if you wish to escape the crowds of Sandy Stream Pond. Take a drive alongside Golden Highway and look ahead to majestic moose.
Daicey Pond is one other great place to observe for moose, particularly throughout the late afternoon and early night. Look ahead to moose right here from about 4:30-6p, as they get extra energetic round twilight.
There are additionally a number of corporations close to the park that provide guided moose excursions. These may be useful as a result of guides know the place moose have a tendency to hang around, they usually know latest moose actions within the space.
Close by RV Campgrounds
Wilderness Edge Campground in Millinocket is on the entry street to Baxter State Park. It presents 50 Max AMP hookups and has a dump station together with a playground, laundry services, showers, a pool, and kayak leases. Katahdin Shadows Campground in Medway has full hookups, a pool, and deliberate occasions for campers.
Different Out of doors Actions
There’s lots to do at Baxter State Park moreover waiting for moose. In case you’re up for a strenuous climb, you’ll be able to hike Mount Katahdin. Trails to the highest vary from 4.4 miles one strategy to 5.2 miles a method. The elevation acquire is appreciable, nonetheless – you’ll be going up greater than 4,000 toes from the underside to the highest. This isn’t a hike to sort out on a whim…you’ll need to have educated nicely earlier than making an attempt it.
You can even paddle on the Penobscot River, and there are many locations to fish within the park. Additionally, together with waiting for moose, you’ll be able to search for black bears, white-tailed deer, beavers, muskrats, foxes, weasels, and plenty of different small mammals. The park can be ideally suited for birdwatching and park workers have recorded greater than 178 species.
Denali Nationwide Park, Alaska
You could find moose in a number of Alaska nationwide parks, however Denali Nationwide Park is a very good vacation spot for moose-watching. Listed here are some ideas for locating them on the park.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
You may even see moose close to the doorway to the park, particularly within the springtime. They just like the Riley Creek Campground for its tasty vegetation and forest areas. Horseshoe Lake can be close to the doorway and is a well-liked hangout for moose. They like consuming the timber and shrubs right here, and in summer season moose get pleasure from cooling off in lakes and streams even in Alaska! You may additionally spot moose on the Teklanika River. This space is called a “wildlife superhighway” and attracts a number of animals together with caribou, wolves, grizzlies, and extra.
Through the fall – moose rutting season – chances are you’ll discover them between miles 9 and 13 of the Denali Park Highway. Search for bulls in open areas as they seek for mates.
Close by RV Campgrounds
Riley Creek Campground is inside Denali park boundaries. There are not any hookups at this wooded campground, however it may accommodate each tent and RV tenting. You’ll get cellphone reception on the campground, and there are seasonal facilities – a camp retailer, laundry services, showers, and a dump station. You’ll be able to stroll from the campground to the customer middle, and on to different trails within the park.
Denali RV Park & Motel is simply exterior the park. It has full hookups, laundry services, showers, gasoline grills, and a full-service tour and exercise desk that will help you plan your go to.
Different Out of doors Actions
There are a number of tour corporations within the space that may take you on drives within the park. Many of those tour operators know the place moose wish to congregate, and might take you to these areas. They’ll additionally present you round different attention-grabbing areas within the park.
There are additionally a number of corporations that do flightseeing excursions of Denali. See the park from the air in a small aircraft. You’ll get attention-grabbing views of glaciers and mountains, and you’ll even spot mountain climbers as they make their strategy to the summits of mountains within the park.
There are many climbing trails within the park as nicely. The Savage River Loop Path is a better hike that’s appropriate for all ages. It’s a 2-mile spherical journey that takes about an hour, and the hike is pretty flat as nicely. You’ll observe the Savage River by way of a canyon, and also you’ll get stunning views of rock formations and the glacier-fed river.
Isle Royale Nationwide Park, Michigan
Isle Royale Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most distant nationwide parks within the U.S. and is on an island in Lake Superior. Moose are believed to have arrived on the island both by swimming or crossing the ice in winter. Wildlife consultants have studied the moose and wolves on the island for 60 years, making an attempt to grasp the predator-prey relationship between the species.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
Windigo is an space that’s well-known for moose sightings. It’s on the western finish of the island close to Washington Harbor. You may spot moose within the creek or close to the mouth of the creek the place it joins the harbor. Moose love the aquatic vegetation by the water, they usually get pleasure from cooling off within the shady areas or within the water throughout the summer season months.
You may additionally spot moose at Rock Harbor within the park, though they’re much less frequent right here than they’re at Windigo or different areas of the park. Typically, moose may enterprise close to the Rock Harbor Lodge though they like areas with fewer individuals.
Moose sightings are additionally frequent alongside the Greenstone Ridge Path, particularly close to forests and lakes. They benefit from the woods and wetlands and can graze in these areas of the path.
You can even search for moose at Scoville Level, particularly throughout the spring. You may spot cows with their calves, since this space supplies shelter and meals for them at this weak time.
Close by RV Campgrounds
There are not any RV-accessible campgrounds within the park – all campers attain their campsites both on foot or by way of boat. There are a number of campgrounds and resorts on the mainland, nonetheless. You’ll be able to take the ferry throughout to benefit from the island throughout the day, and return to your rig at evening to sleep in consolation. Attempt both Copper Harbor or Houghton to seek out RV-friendly campgrounds.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is in Copper Harbor and has full hookups. There are laundry services, showers, and a playground for youths.
Different Out of doors Actions
There are many issues to do at Isle Royale moreover waiting for moose. You’ll be able to go backpacking whereas on the park, and a few treks can final a number of days. There may be additionally kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding within the many our bodies of water on the park. You’ll be able to even discover a number of shipwrecks whereas scuba diving on the park. And you’ll be taught extra in regards to the wolf and moose analysis on the island’s customer facilities.
Yellowstone Nationwide Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Yellowstone Nationwide Park is primarily in Wyoming, but it surely stretches throughout three states in all. The park is teeming with wildlife – in reality, it has the biggest focus of mammals within the decrease 48 states. Together with moose, you’ll discover bison, elk, bears, loves, lynx, pronghorn antelope, and plenty of extra.
Greatest Moose Viewing Areas
Moose at Yellowstone like to hang around in Lamar Valley, which is typically known as “The North American Serengeti” due to all of the wildlife within the space. The japanese facet close to Soda Butte Creek and Pebble Creek are particularly good locations to observe for moose as there are many willows and shrubs for them to eat.
Willow Park, between Mammoth Sizzling Springs and Norris Junction, is one other of the most effective areas within the park to view moose. The realm has a number of willows, that are a favourite moose meals.
Yellowstone Lake is one other place the place moose will collect, though it’s much less well-liked than the above areas. However search for them across the lake, particularly within the marshy areas or the willow thickets. The Fishing Bridge and Pelican Creek are each close to the lake and are additionally locations the place you may discover moose.
Close by RV Campgrounds
Yellowstone has plenty of campgrounds contained in the park, however as a result of this is without doubt one of the hottest parks within the nation you’ll need to make reservations as quickly as attainable. Fishing Bridge RV Park is the one campground within the park that provides water, sewer, and electrical hookups. Grizzly bears are sometimes within the space, so there are not any tents or tent campers allowed at this campground.
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park is in West Yellowstone, simply three blocks from the park entrance. It has full hookups, showers, and a playground for youths.
Different Out of doors Actions
There are tons of different out of doors actions at Yellowstone moreover moose-watching. Make sure that to catch a geyser eruption at Previous Trustworthy, see the multi-colored Grand Prismatic Spring, and admire the park’s different geothermal options. Look ahead to every kind of wildlife within the Lamar Valley. Hike Fairy Falls Path – a scenic hike to one in every of Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfalls.
You can even go boating, horseback driving, fishing, and extra throughout the summer season. In winter, get pleasure from snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Greatest Time of 12 months to See Moose
It’s attainable to see moose at any time of yr, however you’ll discover them somewhere else and doing various things, relying on the seasons.
If you end up searching for moose, attempt to search at dawn and sundown. These are the occasions moose are typically most energetic throughout the day.
Spring
You’ll be able to see moose in late spring – Might and June – as they start to get pleasure from snacking on budding leaves and shoots. That is additionally calving season, so you may even see moms enterprise out with their new spring calves. Search for mothers and infants in marshy areas the place they’ve loads of foliage to eat. Male moose start rising their antlers throughout spring, and people will proceed to develop all through the summer season.
Summer season
In mid-summer – July and August – you’ll typically discover moose in lakes and rivers, cooling off throughout the day. Moose have a low tolerance for warmth, they usually can spend lengthy durations of time immersing themselves in cool water, even at greater elevations. In addition they get pleasure from consuming the aquatic vegetation which are stuffed with minerals and vitamins for them. Moose will graze closely all through the day, build up their fats shops for winter. They could be extra energetic later within the day and early within the morning when it’s cooler out as nicely.
By the top of summer season, male moose antlers have reached their full measurement, prepared to draw the women within the fall.
Fall
September and October are moose mating season. Bulls are extra energetic throughout the fall, and chances are you’ll spot them out and about as they seek for a mate. Bulls might also spar one another with their antlers throughout this season.
Winter
Within the winter, moose transfer to decrease elevations as they seek for meals. Moose are additionally simpler to identify as they stand out in opposition to snowy landscapes. Their coats develop thicker to maintain them heat, they usually preserve power by remaining extra in a single space, typically with shelter and simply accessible meals. They eat twigs, bark, and buds to maintain themselves by way of the winter.
Awaiting moose is usually a enjoyable and rewarding expertise, and might result in some nice images and recollections! Bear in mind to provide these majestic animals loads of house, to maintain pets leashed, and to keep away from sudden noises or actions that might startle them.
In case you hope to spend a number of days tenting and moose-watching, contemplate renting an RV from RVshare. You’ll be able to spend your days having fun with state and nationwide parks and waiting for wildlife, and retreat to a cushty mattress every night! And if you wish to look ahead to different wildlife, try our information to the place to see wolves within the U.S.