08/19/2026
The bugling starts before the aspens turn. Late summer into fall, the elk come down out of the high country and take over the meadows, the lakeside, and sometimes the road in front of you.
Three places to hear it, all within about twenty minutes of the resort. Two are in Rocky Mountain National Park and one is close enough to walk.
Worth knowing: dawn and dusk are the hours that matter; the park meadows close to foot travel in the evenings during the rut, so plan to watch from the pullouts, and 75 feet is the minimum distance. They are bigger and faster than they look.
Save this for fall. Rooms for elk season are in our bio.
📍 The Estes Park Resort & Spa
