runakid Loc: Shelbyville, TN

Going to leave TN in very late September so I should be there by the early part of October. Need advice on what animals might still be around at that late date. Looking at getting some wildlife.
Will snow tires be necessary?
Any advice on what else might be in the area?
Planning on being in the park for 3-4 days. Is that enough?
Which of the tree parts of TRNP is best [generally]? I realize that animals move but just need some general advice on that park too.
Thanks in advance.
dan

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Get a hold of the National Parks they should have all the information you need for your trip. As far a snow tires; hard telling not knowing.

davidl743

Wildlife you'll see: Elk and Deer for sure.
Snow Tires: probably not, but this is Colorado so there is no guarantee.
3-4 days? What are your plans, just driving around or doing some hiking? You could spend weeks there and never see it all, yes it is that big.
Which area: Drive the Trail Ridge Road (lots of great views and short hikes up there, but the road closes mid-Oct due to weather), and up to Bear Lake, short hikes to Alberta Falls, and Dream Lake. Lots more just need to know your activity level.
Been going there each year for about 10 years now and still am finding new places to hike and see.

runakid Loc: Shelbyville, TN

No hiking for wife [she can't take much activity at high altitudes] but I don't mind getting out of the car and doing some short hikes. mainly looking for stuff that we can see from the car and short distances away.

JayemCO Loc: Colorado @ 9000 feet

Elk bugle may be over by early October, but check at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, might be some action still. If so Moraine Park is the best place to go to see Elk up close and personal. Might still have some sheep at Sheep Lake, use Fall River Entrance. Snow is a definite possibility but if it snows, it should only last a day that early in the year around Estes Park. Consider going I70 west out of Denver to Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass through Granby. Then take 34 to Grand Lake to the West side of the Park. Then you can go over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park. CHECK first (see Rocky Mountain NP website) to make sure Trail Ridge is open. They close it with the first significant snow fall. There should still be a lot of color from the Aspen leaves changing in early October. If you don't want to drive that far, you can also see a lot of color going up Highway 7 on the east side from Lyons to Allenspark to Estes.

runakid Loc: Shelbyville, TN

Thanks to all for your advice.

davidl743

OK, Trail Ridge Road if it's open, there are several pull offs, a few with some really short walks to places that has great views of the mountains around you. Drive the whole length, at least to the visitor's center if you can. You can also follow it all the way to Granby makes a nice drive with lots of views. Be sure to stop at some of the turn offs, the views are worth it.
Take the drive up to Bear Lake nice views on the way and the walk (paved) around the lake is fairly level.
Down town Estes Park, nice walk with a lot of small shops that offer up some nice photo ops. Also at that time of year the Elk may be down around Lake Estes (the large lake in town) I have seen some really huge Elk there.
Drive to the Cub Lake trail head in Moraine Park, take the trail (fairly level at the start) just a short distance as it crosses the stream and you can get nice views of the valley, as well as possible elk views that time of year.
Alluvial Falls also offers some nice view and its just a short paved walk from the parking lot.
Have fun and enjoy your trip.

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

I just came from TRNP. The northern park has one 14 mile road in and out. Saw bison and longhorn cattle there. They were both right alongside or in the road.The south park has a loop that I think is about 25 miles long. Both sections have some great overlooks, the northern overlooks a beautiful oxbow river bend. I'm not sure what it is like there in October, but I would imagine pretty cool temps.

le boecere

I've yet to see a recommendation for "Lily Lake", and it might be absolutely delightful for someone who is not a hiker. It's right on the S St Vrain Avenue, just a few minutes out of Estes Park. One can "hike" for a few feet, or all the way around the lake. Last June (2018) I saw everything from elk, to a mouse building her nest ~ beaver, muskrat, colorful birds, salamanders, etc. Step out of your vehicle and start taking pictures. There's usually a volunteer guide/consultant there to answer questions and point things out.

https://www.nps.gov/romo/lily_lake.htm

BTW; my great grandfather was an itinerant photographer in the late 1800's-early 1900's, and owned a studio in Greeley. The Greeley city museum archivist told me that he was probably THE pioneer photographer of Estes Park.

PhotoDakota

Most of the trees in TRNP are located along the Little Missouri River or the streams and coulees. Not sure how accessible the locations will be for you to find wildlife. However, the following is the park contact info.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645

Phone:
(701) 623-4466
Ask them any questions you wish and have them send you brochures. They are North Dakota friendly.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Colorado can be challenging. Trail Ridge Road is almost guaranteed to be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and between those dates they usually clear the road if it snows. Anything beyond that is a bonus but in the 39 years we've been here, with a generous amount of sunblock, we've eaten Christmas Dinner on a picnic table in the back yard and in other years we've had 48" of snow on that same table. Most years early October, often right on into the holidays except for the usual Halloween cold snap, is very mild but up high "the leaves" are often gone by then and all of that's impossible to predict this early. The next cloud over the mountains may not be something you want. Not to be scary, but be a Boy Scout - "be prepared" - blankets in the car, some provisions, food, water, a shovel - simple survival stuff in case you get caught for a few days AND stay with your car. It doesn't happen often but it does happen and you likely won't be alone. Fortunately, the interested officials will know about it and efforts will be underway to rectify the problem if you're on the main roads.

If it snows you'll want those tires you asked about. Regular tires with a set of chains in the trunk might be better most years. I won't go into all the scenery and wildlife you'll encounter because that will all be self evident but what isn't is that it's good to let someone know precisely where in the mountains you're going particularly since your wife cannot walk and you should clear with your contact when you're safely at the other end of your trip for the day even if it's someone back in TN who has, or can find, the phone number for the Colorado State Police and/or park rangers in the park of your choice for the day. Have a safe and enjoyable trip and expect the company of lots of other people.

jadeast Loc: Virginia

I always see wild horse herds in TR NP when I go there as well as bison, prairie dogs without getting out of the car. Usually the south unit is best but the north unit has a variety of birds, songbirds, woodpeckers and turkeys. Hwy 7 east of RM NP is very scenic and often there are elk and mule deer along side the road but the meadow by the campground has herds of both in the evening. I got my first photo of a Stellers Jay near the meadow. Lots of places in between, wild horse range is good to see wild horses and bighorn sheep. Devil's Tower is very scenic but not so much wildlife. Mount Rushmore is a tourist trap. Yellowstone is always crowded but so spectacular that everyone should do it once. A good plan that late i n the year is to start in the north and swing south as it gets colder and swing by Pike's peak and Great Sand Dunes NP in southern Colorado.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Elk Rut in the lower areas, especially the western side of RMNP, might catch a moose or two. Check with the Park HQ, check sources on line, should find ample wildlife to photograph. They keep the primary roads plowed and shouldn't be a problem unless you're going on secondary roads into some canyons or valleys. The attached photo (RMNP) was taken in mid to late June and as others have mentioned, you'll never know what you get in the way of weather so be prepared. Enjoy and look forward to your photos

(Download)

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

There is also a chance for moose at either end of Trail Ridge Road. The chances are better on the west end rather than the east. Go on-line to U S National Parks. They will offer very good information and contact information for any questions you may have.