11 Best Places to See Wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Wondering where to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park? You’ve found the right post.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique natural wonders in the United States. Located in Colorado, this iconic national park is home to a variety of wildlife, making it an ideal destination for animal enthusiasts.

We lived in Denver for three years and frequently visited Rocky Mountain. Almost every time we visited, we were lucky enough to see some type of wildlife.

From majestic elk and moose to smaller inhabitants such as chipmunks and foxes, Rocky Mountain National Park has a wide variety of animals. In this blog post, we’ll cover the best places to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park!

🌟 Plan on visiting more than two national parks this year? Save money with the America the Beautiful Pass here! 🌟

Cub Lake

Cub Lake and the trail is one of the best spots to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park. From small birds such as grouse to larger animals like deer, elk, and even moose, this trail offers a great opportunity to experience all kinds of wildlife within the park.

The lake itself provides a source of food and water, which attracts many different species to it. Additionally, due to its secluded location away from most of the other trails in the park, you can often find animals straying away from busy parts of the park.

Moraine Park

Moraine Park is one of the most popular spots to see wildlife in this national park. It’s one of the best places in the park for seeing elk since it’s a meadow surrounded by trees and mountains that provide cover for these majestic beasts.

The meadow is also ideal for photographers, as its vast grassy expanse provides plenty of opportunities for capturing stunning shots of the animals that roam it. Plus, there are several nearby camping spots if you’re looking to spend some time here to get a better look at the wildlife.

Grab the Free Ultimate Colorado Bucket List

Sign up to get access to some of the best things to do in Colorado – perfect for planning your trip!

Get the Guide

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Holzwarth Meadow

Holzwarth Meadow is one of the most popular locations for photographers looking to see wildlife. The meadow is especially known for its elk population, which you can easily spot with your camera any time of year!

In the fall, however, visitors are even more likely to have a unique photographic experience – not only due to the vibrant fall foliage but also because of the increased number of elk that congregate around the meadow.

Black bears and moose can also be seen in this beautiful area, as well as other birds and mammals. All in all, Holzwarth Meadow is a wonderful place to capture some incredible wildlife photos.

Upper Beaver Meadows

Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park is an amazing place for wildlife viewing. The meadows provide the perfect habitat for elk, and it’s often less crowded than other wildlife spots in the park.

It’s also a great spot to find wild turkey, which can sometimes be seen grazing in the meadows. The meadow is peaceful and provides plenty of opportunities to observe elk and other animals in their natural habitat.

With its abundance of wildlife and its peaceful atmosphere, Upper Beaver Meadows is definitely one of the best spots for animal watching in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bear Lake Road

Bear Lake Road is one of the best places to go if you want to find wildlife on a trip to Rocky. From wild turkeys, elk, and more, you’ll be able to have a great time just driving along this road. Additionally, the beauty of the trees and snow-capped mountains in the background is breathtaking.

Wild turkeys are among the most popular animals visitors can spot here. The elk here are also a sight to behold – you may encounter them grazing on meadows or just in the green spaces along this busy road.

Drive carefully along this road because wildlife could be around any corner.

Kawuneeche Valley

Kawuneeche Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park is a prime spot to see wildlife in the area. This valley provides ideal habitat for many types of animals. Spring and summer are especially good times to visit as you’ll find larger concentrations of deer, moose, elk, and other wildlife in the area.

For visitors looking to spot more wildlife, there are ample trails through the valley that provide plenty of opportunity for animal sightings. Keep in mind that Kawuneeche Valley is on the western part of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sheep Lakes

Sheep Lakes is an iconic landmark in Rocky Mountain National Park and a must-see for anyone visiting the area. One of the best features is that it’s one of the few places where you can see bighorn sheep herds in their natural habitat.

From late summer through fall, Sheep Lakes is home to these majestic animals, making it a great spot for wildlife viewing. When you visit Sheep Lakes, be sure to bring binoculars so you can get close-up looks of the bighorn sheep.

The area is also incredibly beautiful during this time of year, with picture-perfect golden aspen leaves and stunning snow-capped mountains providing a majestic backdrop for your experience.

Lake Haiyaha Trail

The Lake Haiyaha Trail is one of the best spots to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park for a variety of reasons. It offers incredible views of mountaintops, lakes, and other natural wonders.

The trail is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from birds and deer to foxes and elk. You can find animals anywhere along the trail – we’ve even seen deer right in front of us before! However, we’ve found that it’s more common by doing an early morning hike on this trail vs later in the day.

Sprague Lake

Sprague Lake is one of the best spots to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park because its location makes it one of the most accessible areas for wildlife spotting. It’s a common spot for elk, making it easy to spot the animals in their natural habitat.

The flat trail that goes around the outside of the lake also makes it easy to explore and observe wildlife without disturbing them too much. It’s a great spot to take pictures, especially on a sunny day when the water reflects beautifully off the lake’s surface.

Old Fall River Road

Old Fall River Road is only open seasonally, typically running from July to late October. During this time, it provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the beauty and wildlife that RMNP has to offer.

The road is near Horseshoe Park, offering stunning views of meadows and forests below. This makes it easy for visitors to access some of the more remote areas in the park with ease.

One of the major attractions here is the opportunity to observe bighorn sheep in their natural habitat. They tend to stay close to the rocky ledges along the road and can often be seen grazing on grasses during warmer months.

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best spots to go if you are looking to find wildlife. This scenic drive is only open during the warmer months, from around late May to mid-October, so plan your visit accordingly.

Along this road, you’ll often find elk grazing near its edge and other animals roaming around. It’s truly a treat for any nature lover! But keep in mind that when driving on Trail Ridge Road, you should always be on the lookout for animals crossing the road and be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a stunningly beautiful and diverse park, home to a wide range of wildlife. With its diverse landscape and abundant wildlife populations, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best spots for nature lovers looking to get up close with some of America’s most incredible creatures.

This post was all about the best places to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park.