Colorado’s Shiras moose population is thriving, making Steamboat Springs a prime location for viewing the largest big game animal in the state. The Shiras moose subspecies is smaller than those found further north, with bulls weighing between 800 and 1,200 pounds and standing up to six feet at the shoulder. Though they are a magnificent sight, moose are wild animals, and a sighting is never guaranteed, requiring both patience and knowledge of their preferred habitats.
Prime Viewing Locations
Focus on areas with dense willow growth and water, which is the moose’s preferred forage and cover. Buffalo Pass, located northeast of Steamboat Springs, is a highly productive area, especially in the meadows near Summit Lake. This high-altitude region offers the moist habitat and solitude that moose seek during the warmer months.
The East side of Rabbit Ears Pass also hosts a healthy population, with sightings often reported near Muddy Lake and Lily Lake, where the terrain is dotted with wet, boggy environments. Visitors exploring the Routt National Forest near the Mount Zirkel Wilderness access points should pay close attention to the dense, low-lying brush along creek beds. Within town limits, the Rotary Park Boardwalk along the Yampa River Core Trail provides accessible viewing opportunities, as moose often graze on the willows along the river corridor.
Optimal Viewing Times and Seasons
Moose are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. This is the best time for a sighting. Their dark, thick coats make them sensitive to heat, so they retreat to dense cover during the warm, sunny parts of the day. Early morning, just before or shortly after sunrise, is the most rewarding time to look.
Seasonal movements dictate where moose can be found throughout the year. In late spring and early summer, they migrate to higher elevations, often following the snowmelt, to feed on fresh vegetation. The fall, particularly late September through early October, marks the rut, or mating season, when bulls are more mobile and vocal. During winter, moose move to lower, protected areas, frequently using packed-down trails to conserve energy.
Essential Moose Safety and Viewing Etiquette
Moose are unpredictable and will not hesitate to defend themselves, so maintaining a minimum distance of 75 feet (about 25 yards) is an important safety measure. Unlike deer or elk, moose are not easily frightened by humans and will often stand their ground when threatened. Never approach a moose, even if it appears calm, and use binoculars or a telephoto lens for closer viewing.
A moose exhibiting agitation will display clear warning signs, such as laying its ears back, licking its snout, or raising the long hairs on its hump. If a moose begins to charge, run immediately and attempt to put a large, solid object, like a tree, vehicle, or boulder, between yourself and the animal.
Dogs are a particular trigger for moose because they are perceived as wolves, their only natural predator. For your safety and your pet’s, keep dogs on a leash at all times. A charging moose will actively try to stomp on canines and anyone nearby.