Top 10 Places to Spot Moose Across the U.S. This Fall

10. Superior National Forest, Minnesota

Superior National Forest is located in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota, bordering the north shore of Lake Superior and the Canadian border. Across its 3.9 million acres lies dense forests, clean lakes, iconic megafauna, and various rocky landscapes. This makes the area an ideal habitat for moose, along with other native residents like eagles, deer, gray wolves, Canada lynx, and black bears. Visitors have their pick of outdoor activities, such as canoeing the Boundary Waters wilderness area, hiking through Tettegouche State Park or Bean and Bear Lake Loop, or even camping among the stars in the South Kawishiwi River campground.

More specifically, for those hoping to spot moose this fall, explore Gunflint Trail. This 57-mile paved road goes straight through moose country, making it the perfect addition to your moose-sighting road trip itinerary. Alternatively, check out the Moose Viewing Trail, which offers hikers the greatest chance of spotting moose this fall! This short trail leads to an overlook platform that provides the best view of the area’s wildlife and scenic landscape. To really increase your chances of spotting moose, go during dawn or dusk — a time when they are most active.

9. Moosehead Lake, Maine

Located just three hours north of the bustling city of Portland is Moosehead Lake. It is the largest lake in Maine at 40 miles long and 22 miles wide. It covers almost 75,000 acres, making it the largest mountain lake on the East Coast. Surrounded by forests and mountain ranges, this area is known for its frequent moose sightings. Plus, in the Moosehead Lake area, moose outnumber people 3 to 1, giving tourists an excellent chance of spotting these creatures this fall.

One of the best viewing areas for moose is along the scenic drive from Greenville to Kokadjo. Many people who drive this 20-mile route are fortunate enough to spot moose grazing along the side of the road, allowing them to enjoy the wildlife without even stepping out of their cars! Alternatively, embark on a boat tour or hike along the lake’s shores to increase your chances of spotting these iconic creatures in their natural habitats. Some other great places to spot moose include Lily Bay State Park and Rockwood.

8. North Park, Colorado

One of the best, lesser-known places to spot moose is North Park, Colorado. Surrounded by the Medicine Bow Mountains, the Park Range, and the Never Summer Mountains, this rugged land in the north-central part of the state has one of the best habitats for moose to live in! The valley floor is 7,800 feet and peaks at an elevation of 13,000 feet, It also has a plethora of remote rivers, mountains, and deep forests scattered across over 1,600 miles. While there is a good chance of spotting moose from nearly anywhere in Jackson County, visitors can maximize their chances by exploring the park’s wetlands and meadows in the early morning or at dusk. Alternatively, fall vacationers can head over to the State Forest State Park or the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge to catch a glimpse of Colorado’s majestic moose.

7. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Isle Royale National Park is situated in the northwest part of Michigan. It is home to Isle Royale — the largest island in Lake Superior. Along with that, this park system also includes 450 smaller islands like Johns Island and Kamloops Island. It is recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve due to its unique ecosystem. The park contains boreal conifer and northern hardwood forests, enabling only a select few animal species to live there. In fact, only 19 mammal species inhabit the area, including wolves, elk, hares, mink, and America’s beloved moose. Though there are an estimated 1,876 moose living on these islands, they are very difficult to spot through the trees. You can reach the island by ferry or kayak. Once there, you can enjoy scenic hikes, visit lighthouses, and, if you’re lucky, spot a moose!

6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is a popular tourist destination best known for its skiing, fishing, rafting, ranches, fine dining, and more! There are many things to do in this area, including visiting Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park. For those who prefer educational adventures over nature hikes, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Jackson Hole Historic Museum are two other famous attractions in the area. Alternatively, Moose-Wilson Road offers vacationers a simple, scenic tour of the area with lots of wildlife spotting opportunities. Moreover, this 15-mile road runs through forests and marshes, making it a fantastic place for spotting moose this fall. Drive slowly, keep your eyes peeled, and be prepared to encounter these magnificent creatures along the route!

5. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

No matter what time of year, Grand Teton National Park is perfectly picturesque. But in the fall, the park is particularly magical with its colorful fall foliage, snow-capped peaks, and abundance of wildlife. Plus, Grand Teton National Park is home to a wide variety of animal species, ranging from grizzly bears and black bears to bison, moose, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Furthermore, this national park is located in the heart of Wyoming, with pristine lakes, alpine terrain, and the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains — the Teton Range.

It is 310,000 acres and is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, mountaineering, and scenic sightseeing. Visitors can explore the park’s wetlands and meadows or opt to traverse the gorgeous mountainous landscapes by following the Jenny Lake Loop trail or Schwabacher Landing trail. While there are many places to spot moose in the Grand Tetons, the best areas to go to seek out moose are around the Oxbow Bend Turnout area between Moran Junction and Jackson Lake Junction. They are also especially apparent around Snake River, the Willow Flats, and Christian Pond.

4. Baxter State Park, Maine

Baxter State Park is a preserved land area in Northeast Piscataquis, Maine. It is nestled in the heart of Maine’s wilderness and offers excellent opportunities to spot moose. During the fall months, this prospect is especially hopeful since they are most active in this area during this time. Plus, the backdrop of vibrant autumn colors allows for the best wildlife photography opportunities. To maximize your chances of spotting moose in this state park, visit Sandy Stream Pond Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip trail that starts at Roaring Brook Campground and connects to Russell Pond Trail. Alternatively, visitors can explore Grassy Pond Trail, Stump Pond, or Hedgehog Mountain, which are all places where moose sightings are common.

3. Acadia National Park, Maine

While Acadia National Park is most widely known for its numerous lighthouses and gorgeous hiking trails, it is also one of the best places to spot moose in the fall! Located mainly on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park stretches across nearly 50,000 acres of land. This famous park is known for its rugged coastline, beautiful fall foliage, and diverse native wildlife. Above all else, Acadia National Park is a fantastic place to encounter moose. With a population estimated at around 75,000, Maine has the second-largest concentration of moose out of anywhere else in the United States after Alaska. While sightings are rare, there are a few places to keep an eye out for them. Moose in Acadia typically stay further inland, where human activity is less common. Having said that, Katahdin Woods or Waters National Monument gives tourists the highest chance of spotting moose this fall.

2. Rocky Mountain National Park, Wyoming

Home to thriving moose populations, Rocky Mountain National Park offers guests an assortment of things to do. Drive along Trail Ridge Road to enjoy the fall scenery and abundant wildlife sightings, or hike any of the numerous scenic trails located within the park. For those looking for places to spot moose, explore Kawuneeche Valley, East Meadow, Green Mountain Trail, or Onahu Trail. These places, along with the first section of the North Inlet Trail, offer guests the highest chances of spotting moose this fall.

While there are many moose in the area, it helps to know what to look for to find some. To determine if a moose has been in the area recently, you can check for one of three distinct signs. First, bull moose rub their antlers on trees and other hard objects to help shed them. This typically occurs at the end of the fall breeding season, when there is reduced daylight and sparse vegetation — two clear indicators of the oncoming winter season. Secondly, if you can see moose tracks, it is likely that there is one nearby. Typically, moose footprints measure anywhere between 5 and 7 inches long or about the size of your hand. You might also be able to see moose droppings or scat. Although moose droppings resemble elk and deer scat, they are larger, harder, and more oval-shaped.

1. Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park is known for its vast wilderness and picturesque landscapes, such as the Sable Mountain Trail, Polychrome Overlook, and Wonder Lake Campground. The area is filled with abundant wildlife, including bears, caribou, and wolves. The parks’ terrain ranges from Taiga forests, glacial stream floodplains, and woodlands to low-shrub tundra slopes and steep rocky peaks. It is also home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, which is a massive 20,320 feet high at its peak.

Among the many animals that roam the vast landscape of Denali National Park, moose are one of the most common. With an estimated population of between 1,800 and 2,000 moose, this gorgeous Alaskan park is one of the best places to spot moose in the fall. Out of the four moose species in North America, Alaska is home to just one: the Alaska-Yukon moose (Alces alces gigas) variety.

The Alaska-Yukon species is the largest of all North American moose. Adults can grow to be anywhere between 800 pounds (for small females) and 1,600 pounds (for large males). They also stand over 6 feet in height, with antlers reaching up to 72 inches across! Other names for this subspecies are giant moose, tundra moose, or Alaskan moose. They are most commonly found living in low-lying brushlands and bogs, often near rivers or other readily available bodies of fresh water. Because of this, Denali provides one of the best habits for moose to live in. They are most often seen near the park’s north entrance, the Denali Visitor Center, or the Riley Creek Campground. Throughout the fall, moose are frequently spotted between Mile 9 and 13.