Yellowstone Moose
Moose are the largest, most solitary, and — these days — the hardest of Yellowstone's big ungulates to find. A sighting is a genuine prize, earned in the wet willow bottoms where they live.
Overview
Moose (Alces alces) are willow-marsh specialists — they browse willow heavily and feed on aquatic plants in summer. They're the largest member of the deer family: a mature bull stands over six feet at the shoulder.
Yellowstone's moose population fell from roughly 1,000 in the 1980s to a few hundred today. The decline is linked to the 1988 fires (which restructured willow habitat), drought, ticks, and predation on calves — a real, documented drop that makes any sighting special.
Where to find them
- Willow Park (south of Mammoth): Classic willow-marsh habitat.
- Pelican Valley: Remote, wet moose country (closed much of the year for bears).
- Northeast Entrance marshes: Pullouts near the Lamar headwaters.
- Yellowstone River delta (NE): Aquatic feeding in summer.
When to look
Dawn and dusk, May–September. Scan willow edges for a dark, towering shape, often standing in shallow water.
⚠️Stay at least 25 yd away
Frequently asked questions
Why did the moose population decline?+
From ~1,000 (1980s) to a few hundred. Causes overlap: the 1988 fires altered willow habitat, drought and ticks stressed animals, and bears and wolves prey on calves. It's a real decline, not a perception.
Where can I see a moose in Yellowstone?+
Wet willow bottoms — Willow Park south of Mammoth, Pelican Valley, and the marshes near the Northeast Entrance. Dawn and dusk, scanning the willow tops for a dark towering shape.
Are moose dangerous?+
Yes — they charge more readily than they look like they will, especially cows with calves and bulls in fall. Keep 25 yards, more if it's a calf or rutting bull. A moose can run you down.
Data & field guide
692 aggregate reports. Peak: May. Sighting frequency, not population abundance.
1,868 timed records. Daylight viewing bias applies.
Field identification: tracks & sign
Alces alces · Cervidae
Tracks
- Front foot
- 100–150mm × 90–130mm
- Hind foot
- 90–130mm × 80–110mm
- Track width
- 9–13cm
- Toes
- 2 (cloven hoof)
- Stride
- 70–100 (walk)cm
Dew claws frequently show in tracks, even in firm substrate — distinctive feature.
Scat & other sign
Pellets are larger than elk. When on woody browse: hard, oval/elongated pellets. When on aquatic vegetation: soft, clumped masses.
Key identification features
- Very large track with dew claws showing
- Heart-shaped track outline
- High browsing line (1.5–2.5m)
- Aquatic feeding sign
- Large pellet scat
ℹ️In the field
May-Sep
Habitat cue
Willow bottoms, marsh edges, and slow creek margins
Broad riparian and willow cues are safer than exact locations for a low-density species.
Sources & data notes
- Seasonal and hourly patterns: aggregated from NPS and observer trip reports in the project dataset (1995–2026). Only monthly counts are published; no per-sighting location or observer data.
- Report signals: official NPS/USGS aggregate or narrative report facts only. Exact dens, raw sightings, and bear-jam points are not published.
- Track & sign field guide: compiled from NPS species references and field-identification literature.
- NPS Yellowstone mammals overview — National Park Service (Official mammal checklist/context page with current park-level population notes; not point data.)
Sources & data notes
- Moose data is drawn from official NPS, USGS, and NOAA sources catalogued in our source registry. Observer-submitted sightings are not published on this public guide.
- Moose carries dedicated official data (NPS ecology / management reports).
- NPS Yellowstone mammals overview — National Park Service (Official mammal checklist/context page with current park-level population notes; not point data.)
- NPS Yellowstone wildlife overview — National Park Service (Official wildlife viewing and habitat context; not observation records.)
Spotted something off, or want a deeper dive? Every claim above links to its original source — look for the ↗ markers and the Sources section.