April Is the Best Month to See Moose in Walden and North Park

It’s springtime in the Rockies again! A time of year where you can have all four seasons in a single day, April still has plenty of potential for a sudden snow flurry, while at the same time the trees are beginning to leaf out and some places might even already be thick with cherry blossoms and crabapple blooms. It also means it’s the best time to see some moose!

Spring is announced a little bit differently up in the Colorado high country. Those fat buds on aspen and willow trees are an open invitation for Colorado’s biggest visitor. This time of year is a great time to see why North Park is called the Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado. If you are looking for the best places to see moose in Colorado, you’ve come to the right spot!

Moose History and Reintroduction in Colorado

Moose had been hunted out of most of Colorado by the middle of the 19th century, with only anecdotal stories of lone moose migrating in from Wyoming. 

By the late 1970s, Colorado legislature took on the project to reintroduce this last of the ice age megafauna to northern Colorado. These large ungulates needed a remote place with plenty of public land and the right kind of habitat for browsing, such as willow bottoms, aspen forests, and wetlands. North Park was chosen as an ideal place to start, and in 1978, the first moose were brought in. Two dozen moose were brought in from Wyoming and Utah to get the ball rolling.

The project took several years, with moose being imported in from areas where these largest members of the deer family still had a big presence. More moose were brought in from Wyoming to encourage genetic diversity for strong herds, but eventually North Park had such an abundance of healthy moose that these animals became the source of animals that were reintroduced to other areas around Colorado.

In the early 1990s, nearly 100 moose were exported from Jackson County to other places around the US and Colorado. In 1995, Walden was officially recognized by the State legislature as the “Moose Viewing Capitol of Colorado.” You can see that badge of honor proudly displayed on just about every sign welcoming you into Walden.

Best Places to See Moose in Colorado

The moose population of Colorado has grown from the two dozen that started off in North Park to thousands throughout the state. North Park itself has hundreds of moose and each year the population not only continues to grow, but also thrive, making Jackson County one of the best places in Colorado to see moose in Colorado.

North Park’s terrain is a combination of rich wetlands, sage and prairie plains, and dense alpine forests. In combination, these very different ecosystems provide the diversity of food, shelter, and room to roam for moose.

The April Migration

As the temperatures warm up and the river bottoms begin to wake up, the moose come down from the mountains in search of red willow shoots, green grass, and (unfortunately for many residents of Walden), spring shoots on trees and shrubs. It’s not uncommon in Walden to open your front door and see a moose hanging out in your front yard. Walden is also a place many moose have chosen to give birth to their calves in the spring.

Great Places to See Moose in Walden

Here are some hotspots to see moose in Walden you need to check out.

Hanson Park: One of the easiest places to see moose in Walden, moose often enjoy the green grass and lilac bushes.

The Courthouse: One of the most identifiable buildings in Walden, the Jackson County courthouse is also a favorite of moose visitors! It was designed by the same architect who built the City and County Building in Denver, CO!

Front yards and back alleys: Moose can be seen all around Walden. Just keep your eyes open, and be sure to ask locals where they have seen moose if you stop in town for lunch!

Best Places to See Moose in North Park

Once the April/May moose migration is over, the moose tend to head to less populated areas. They are shy creatures and need solitude to protect their calves, but also for the abundance of food they find outside of town.

Gould and the State Forest State Park

The Moose Visitor Center in Gould isn’t just a catchy name. Gould has a large population of moose that live throughout the Colorado State Forest State Park. From Bockman campground to Ranger Lakes and beyond! The lakes, willow bottoms, and aspen groves are great places to spot moose.

Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway

The wetlands of the Wildlife Refuge are great places to see moose and are often some of the first places in Jackson County they will make an appearance. The entire corridor between the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge and Cameron Pass along the Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway (CO HWY 14) are some of the most active areas to see moose in Jackson County.

Rabbit Ears and Muddy Pass

As we get back into the high country, moose really enjoy hanging out along Grizzly Creek and near the Muddy Pass trailhead of the Continental Divide Trail. You might even see one wading in a lake or cropping willow branches alongside the highway.

From the Wyoming Border to Willow Creek Pass

This highway cuts through North Park north to south. Starting at the Wyoming border near the Wyoming-Colorado Rail Trail going to Fox Park and Albany, WY, it runs all the way to Granby. This area is a favorite for moose watchers. Just be sure to keep a lookout along the highway.

Frequently Moosed Questions

We’ve got moose and you’ve got questions! 

What do I do if I see a moose?

Call out “Moose!” to your friends so they can take a picture. But more importantly, give the moose space! Moose are aggressive and will fight to defend themselves. Don’t let pets chase them, as this could result in your pet being trampled, or spooking the moose and causing it to injure itself. Moose have been known to run through fences, light woods, and sometimes break legs in the process.

Colorado has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to animal attacks. Aggressive moose, bears, and just about any other animal that comes into contact with people will usually be euthanized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. So if you want to respect these animals, and keep yourself safe, keep your distance.

Moose antler growth

Moose antlers are not horns, but rather a complex system of calcium and blood vessels which grow to form “paddles”, very similar to the moose’s cousins, the mule deer. Moose antlers grow very fast, and are up there with bamboo in fastest growing living structures on a living organism. This accelerated growth is believed to contribute to why bull moose are so cranky and often dangerous. For four or five months out of the year, they are walking around with a raging headache!

Eventually, the antlers completely form and the hairy “velvet” covering begins to fall away, leaving behind the impressive antlers which bull moose use to fight other males during the fall rut as well as a tool to dig up yummy treats to eat from lake beds.

Are moose dangerous?

Even though moose are plant-eaters, they are very protective of their personal space, mates, and young, and will defend themselves aggressively if they feel threatened. This is why you should never approach a moose and give them plenty of room if you encounter one—in the wild, or even just walking through town. In North Park, if you see one moose, there’s a good chance there are other moose around you don’t see.

How do moose defend themselves?

Moose are accomplished fighters and have evolved to defend themselves against grizzly bears, wolf packs, mountain lions, and probably half a dozen extinct ice age predators that have been lost to time. They fight by biting, charging, kicking and trampling, and using those antlers.

Just because the bulls have the big paddles doesn’t mean that the cows (females) can’t also throw down. Cows will often “box” an adversary until it is no longer moving or living—whichever comes first. An 800-1200 pound animal is not something you want to see charging at you for the price of a selfie with a calf. Don’t do it!

How do I know if a moose feels “threatened?”

Yes. But to elaborate, there are a few signs that will indicate a moose is on high alert. If females are with calves or yearlings, yes, they are already “threatened.” If bulls are around other bulls, and if they are around females in estrus, they are already at a heightened state of “Nope.”

Physical signs that a moose is on high alert and will become aggressive are raised hackles, ears swiveled in your direction, and agitated walking—often towards the direction of something they want to stomp. Again, observe moose safely from a distance. If you are close enough to cause them to “alert” you are too close. Back away slowly and find shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Do moose swim?

Yes. Moose are very good swimmers and even divers! They can hold their breath and swim down to the bottom of lakes and ponds to forage an abundance of food other ungulates cannot reach. This also means that you should avoid any moose you encounter while fishing or using a boat.

Are moose fast runners?

Yes. Moose can run about as fast as a horse and are not afraid to charge people or pets they feel are a threat. Moose often try to outrun cars on the highway if they are confused or threatened, meaning usually that they will run right in front of a vehicle, or even broadside it. Proceed with caution!

Are moose a problem on the highways?

Usually not, if you are paying attention and maintain a safe speed. Each year, several moose are killed on the highways, often in moose vs. truck collisions. Due to their dark coloring and height, they are sometimes difficult to see on the highway. Their eyes don’t reflect light like smaller deer and elk. Moose vs. car accidents often result in fatalities for the human occupants, so please drive safely and keep an eye out for moose while driving through North Park. We want our visitors and our moose to get home safe.

Sometimes if moose are injured or orphaned, they are rehabilitated at our local animal rehabilitation center. Click here to learn more about what our local animal lovers are doing to protect wildlife.

Can I ride a moose?

As the old saying goes, you can do anything once—but the moose will kill you. So, NO! Don’t ever attempt to touch, harass, taunt, flirt with, or otherwise annoy a moose. Don’t ever feed a moose–you don’t know what might make them sick, and you don’t want to encourage human/moose contact. That might get the moose, or someone else killed.

You’re also better off not even making eye contact with a moose, since they might view that as a threat--no joke. The moose doesn’t like your vibe. The moose doesn’t want to listen to your favorite podcast, and the moose has a shorter fuse than a grandma holding a sandal. 

Are moose dangerous?

A question worth asking again. YES! But they are also incredible animals worthy of your respect and admiration. Our US President who started public land conservation, Teddy Roosevelt admired these animals so much that he ran for election under the Bull Moose party. The best way to photograph a moose is with a zoom lens at a safe distance.

Are moose hunted?

Each year in Colorado, hundreds of hunters put in for the moose hunting draw with fewer than 200 being harvested. Hunting helps to keep moose populations healthy and under control, and is also a source of revenue for Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage and maintain public lands in Colorado. Moose meat is considered a delicacy with better marbling than elk, and a tender consistency that makes for tasty steaks, ground meat, and even sweetbreads. 

Our Friends the Moose

In spite of the intimidating presence of moose in North Park, locals have learned to live with them, often very closely. Moose are not always considered attractive, but we think they are beautiful in their own way. They have entered the hearts of many North Parkers and just about any local you’ll meet will have their own moose story they love to share.

By respecting these majestic animals you are making sure that people have even more good stories to share for generations to come. If you are coming to North Park to see the moose, we hope you have a safe experience you will never forget!

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