Seeing any of these animals is exciting and a real treat, one of the things that makes Estes Park so special. But you want to make sure you behave the proper way. Too many Estes Park visitors forget some of these very important rules and put their own and their families' safety at risk. This guide covers what I want every guest to know.
⚠️ Never feed wildlife
No matter how cute these little critters are, never, ever feed any type of wildlife.
- It makes them sick. Deer and elk have stomachs built for wild grasses and shrubs. Corn, bird seed, apples and other human foods can cause acidosis, a severe and often fatal disease. (CPW)
- It makes them lose their fear, and it often ends badly for them. Bears and other animals that get human food become bolder and more likely to hurt pets and people, and then they often have to be killed. That's why people say "a fed bear is a dead bear." (CPW; NPS)
- It pulls them toward roads and towns, where they crowd together and are more likely to be hit by cars and chased by dogs. (CPW)
- It spreads disease, including chronic wasting disease, when animals crowd around food. (CPW)
Feeding deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and bears is illegal in Colorado (CPW lists a \$100 fine), and feeding any wildlife is illegal in Rocky Mountain National Park.
How close is too close?
The National Park Service guidance for Rocky Mountain National Park:
- 75 feet (about two bus lengths) from all wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and turkeys
- 120 feet (about three bus lengths) from black bears, moose and mountain lions
The park's rules prohibit willfully getting closer than these distances. A handy trick is the rule of thumb: hold your arm out with a thumbs-up. If your thumb doesn't cover the whole animal, you're too close. And if an animal changes its behavior because of you, you're too close, even if you're past the minimum.
Play Bluebell I Spy!: Our Bluebell I Spy! Estes Park & RMNP game (every guest gets one at the house) has a whole wildlife column: bull elk, cow elk, an elk calf, mule deer, moose, black bear, bighorn sheep and more. Everything counts from a safe distance, so bring binoculars and use the rule of thumb.
Elk
Elk are everywhere in Estes Park, including in the park, on golf courses and in our neighborhood.
- Fall rut (September–October): Bull elk can be very aggressive while protecting their herds. Respect the park's meadow closures (Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 10 a.m.), and never use elk calls or spotlights, which are illegal in the park.
- Spring calving (late spring): Cow elk are fiercely protective of newborn calves. If you see a calf alone, its mother is close by, so leave the area. CPW warns that elk, moose and deer with young can become aggressive.
Deer
Mule deer look gentle, but do protect their fawns and bucks get feisty in fall. Give them the same 75 feet, and never approach a fawn that looks "abandoned."
Host tip from Jeff & René: there's a game trail right behind the back deck at Bluebell, and deer show up almost daily like they pay rent. Enjoy them from the deck, and please don't feed them, no matter how soulful their eyes are.
Wild turkeys
You may see turkeys strolling through yards and along roads. Enjoy them from a distance, and don't toss them food.
Bighorn sheep
Look for bighorn at Sheep Lakes in Horseshoe Park and along Trail Ridge Road. Stay 75 feet back, stay in your car or in pullouts, and let them cross roads in peace.
Moose
Moose live mostly on the west side of the park and in willow-lined drainages, and they're increasingly seen around the area.
- Stay 120 feet back. Moose can run up to 35 mph.
- Cows with calves (born mid-May to early June) are very protective well into summer, especially toward dogs.
- Breeding season runs late September through November, when bulls can be aggressive.
- Warning signs: ears laid back, raised neck hair, lowered head, licking the snout.
- If a moose charges, CPW advises running and putting a large object such as a boulder, car or tree between you and the moose. (This is different from bears and lions!)
Black bears
Black bears live in the Estes Valley and RMNP. CPW says Colorado bears are active from about mid-March through early November.
- Spring: Males leave their dens first, then females without cubs, and mothers with new cubs come out last, usually in late April. Hungry bears are looking for easy food.
- Fall hyperphagia: From about mid-August, bears go into a feeding frenzy, eating up to 20+ hours a day to gain about 20,000 calories a day before hibernation. This is when trash, coolers, grills and bird feeders cause the most trouble.
If you see a bear: Stay calm, keep children beside you, and give the bear an escape route. Don't run or climb a tree. Back away slowly while facing it. If it approaches, stand tall and make loud noise (shout, clap, bang pots). If it keeps coming, use bear spray at about 40 feet. If a black bear attacks, don't play dead. Fight back. Report encounters to a park ranger, or to CPW outside the park.
Host tip from Jeff & René: join the "Elk of Estes Park" group on Facebook before your trip. Locals post real-time sighting updates daily (elk herd locations, bears, moose), which helps you plan where to watch and where to give animals extra room.
Mountain lions and bobcats
Mountain lions and bobcats definitely live around Estes Park, but they're secretive and rarely seen. Most visitors never spot one. The NPS notes that the chance of a lion attack is very low, far lower than being struck by lightning. If you're lucky enough to see one:
- Don't run. Stay calm and face the animal.
- Make yourself look big: raise your arms, open your jacket, hold a stick.
- Keep kids and pets close. Pick up small children.
- Give the animal a way to leave, and back away slowly.
- If it acts aggressively, wave your arms, speak firmly, and throw objects. If attacked, fight back.
- Never approach a lion that's feeding or has kittens.
Bear-safe trash and food at the rental and around town
Estes Park and the Estes Valley have a Wildlife Protection Ordinance, and vacation rentals are held to the business standard: trash must be kept in a wildlife-resistant container or enclosure at all times. Here's how you can help at Bluebell:
- Put every bag of trash in the bear-resistant bin and latch it, every time, even late at night. Never leave trash on the deck, porch or in the car "until morning."
- Don't leave coolers, groceries or pet food outside or visible in your car.
- Clean the grill after each use. Bears love grease.
- Bird and hummingbird feeders: under the town ordinance, from April 1 to December 1 feeders must hang out of a bear's reach.
- Around town and in the park, use bear-proof trash cans and lockers, and never leave food unattended at picnic areas.
Dogs and wildlife
- Pets aren't allowed on RMNP trails, and they must be on a 6-foot leash on roads, in parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas.
- Moose react to dogs like they would to a wolf. Elk, deer and coyotes can also react to dogs, and lions, bobcats, coyotes and owls can prey on small pets.
- Keep your dog leashed and close everywhere, and don't leave pets outside unattended, especially at dawn, dusk and night.
FAQ
How far should I stay from elk in Estes Park? At least 75 feet (two bus lengths). Stay 120 feet from bears, moose and mountain lions.
What should I do if I see a black bear? Stay calm, don't run, back away slowly, and make noise if it approaches. Use bear spray at about 40 feet, and fight back if attacked.
Is it illegal to feed wildlife in Colorado? Yes. Feeding deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and bears is illegal in Colorado, and feeding any wildlife is prohibited in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Are there mountain lions in Estes Park? Yes, but they're rarely seen. If you see one, make yourself big, don't run, and keep kids and pets close.
What are the trash rules for Estes Park vacation rentals? Vacation rentals must keep trash in a wildlife-resistant container or enclosure at all times.
Related guides: Heading out on the trail? See my Summer Hikes and Winter Hikes & Snowshoeing guides.
Watching wildlife from the deck is one of the joys of staying at Bluebell Mountain House. Follow these simple rules and everyone, including the animals, stays safe. Bluebell is in a prime location very close to the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance, and it's pet-friendly (just keep your pup leashed around wildlife). I can't wait to host you.