- Wildlife watching in Estes Park happens everywhere – even in town – and especially during fall and winter when animals move to lower elevations for better weather, food and mating rituals.
- The Fall Elk Rut, when majestic bull elk challenge each other for breeding rights to the females, is definitely one of the most popular times to visit the area. Their bugling call echoes across meadows – it’s a haunting and primeval sound.
- So, keep your eyes open as you move around town as animals may be lurking around any corner. But, if they are hiding in the summer or you would like to learn more about the 60+ species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds, not to mention fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians, that call this area home – book a trip with one of the companies below. Their insights and access to the right locations will not disappoint.
- SEE BELOW for our list of Wildlife Watching tour providers to complete your dream Rocky Mountain vacation.
SCROLL below these search results for more information on wildlife!
For an excellent overview of wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park click HERE. And whether you are wildlife watching in town, in RMNP or the other beautiful public lands in the area it’s good to be aware of these monthly generalizations;
- September – October
- Elk graze in low meadows and elk bulls bugle as they form harems of cows for mating.
- October – November
- Mule deer bucks are in their prime as they search for female deer (does).
- November – December
- Bighorn rams challenge each other with head-butt crashes that can be heard a long way off.
- January – February
- Large groups of animals settle into the Estes valley to feed and wait for spring.
- March – April
- Herds feed in the lower valleys as grass starts turning green, preparing to return to alpine meadows
- May – June
- Elk, moose, deer and bighorn sheep introduce their newborn calves, fawns and lambs to our Rocky Mountains.