Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park are not only the most iconic wildlife to spot—they’re also a vital part of the park’s history and ecosystem. Read on to learn more about these majestic animals and their journey through time in one of Colorado’s most beloved landscapes.
History of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
A once populous species in Rocky Mountain National Park, elk were hunted intensively by Euro-Americans settling in the Estes Valley in the mid-to-late 1800s. By 1890, hardly any elk remained in the area. Just before RMNP was established, an organization in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service transplanted nearly 50 elk from Yellowstone National Park to Estes. At the same time, efforts were made to eliminate local predators, including grizzlies and wolves. Thus, the population began to grow, eventually leading to the deterioration of local vegetation. There are current efforts to maintain a healthy number of elk within the park via the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan.
Best places to see Elk in RMNP
While you are apt to see elk almost anywhere inside the park, certain places are more popular for spotting elk. In general, the best places to see a herd of elk in the park are where the meadows meet the forest line. Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park are great places to start seeing elk in the park. They typically feed in the mornings and evenings and tend to hide out in the shade during the day. In the summer, elk herds move to higher grounds to feed on tundra vegetation, and in the winter, they move down to lower grounds for the warmer weather.
Mating season begins in Autumn when large elk herds descend from higher elevations to the grassy meadows. Within the herds, the male elk compete with one another to breed with the females in the herd. The competition includes very little fighting and more about displaying their goods, such as their antlers and bodies, while emitting a certain odor and bugling for all to hear.
Stay at Alpine Trail Ridge Inn
Elk are not only easy to spot in Rocky Mountain National Park, but also when you stay at Alpine Trail Ridge Inn. Located just minutes from town and the entrance to the park, elk frequent our grounds, making them easy to spot from your hotel room. Our comfortable rooms offer a touch of the great outdoors coupled with today’s modern amenities and stunning mountain views.
We look forward to having you at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn!
