{"id":675,"date":"2021-02-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/?p=675"},"modified":"2021-02-20T18:41:51","modified_gmt":"2021-02-20T18:41:51","slug":"the-best-place-to-see-wildlife-in-glacier-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/the-best-place-to-see-wildlife-in-glacier-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Place to See Wildlife in Glacier National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Bears, wolves, moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, birds, fish, and reptiles can all be found in Glacier National Park, but where is the best place in the park to see these animals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the time animals will congregate in the areas with the best habitat. Those will be the areas with the best food, water, and shelter. To see wildlife you need to find a location where you can observe as much good wildlife habitat as possible and be there at the times of day when wildlife are most likely to be moving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Logan Pass area, specifically the Hidden Lake Trail, offers the best combination of suitable habitat and vantage points to observe bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and moose in Glacier National Park.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glacier National Park also hosts many bird, fish, and amphibian species. This article will focus on the larger animals because they are usually of most interest and are most sensitive to human presence, which often makes them harder to find than birds and fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wildlife Habitat in Glacier National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The key to finding wildlife is to first identify their habitat. The things they need to survive. Any animal needs food, water, and shelter. Requirements for those important things are the same in Glacier National Park as they are anywhere else. I’ll quickly go through the most important habitat factors for the large mammals in the park. This will help you find places to focus your wildlife watching efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deer, Elk, and Moose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most cervids (members of the deer family, which includes deer, elk, and moose) have similar habitat requirements. They need good browse (food), water, and places of shelter. Water abounds in Glacier National Park so wherever you are there’s a good chance water is close by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deer, elk, and moose are going to eat slightly different foods. Deer probably have the widest diet range. They will eat anything from grass to sagebrush. Elk are going to be more oriented towards grasses and tender shoots on plants like willows. The best browse for moose is usually in riparian areas (areas near water). Moose focus on willows and other riparian plants and even eat submerged vegetation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For shelter, the cervids are going to seek out shaded areas with overhead cover. Elk usually seek out slopes and benches timbered with conifers. Moose and deer are a little more variable in the places they bed. You can find them in similar locations to elk, but they will also bed in thick deciduous vegetation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The habitats of mountain goats and bighorn sheep differ from the cervids but their feeding areas may overlap. Goats and sheep can often be found feeding in the same alpine meadows that deer, elk, and moose may sometimes occupy. However, they also spend a good deal of time feeding on steep, rocky slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For shelter sheep and goats take to the cliffs where they have good lines of sight and are difficult to access. During warm, sunny days search the shadows of steep slopes and cliffs for bedded goats and sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When bears (both black and grizzly) aren’t in hibernation they are looking for food to eat to put on fat for the upcoming winter. Bears eat almost anything so you can find them almost anywhere. When in season, berries are a favorite. Huckleberries abound in Glacier National Park and a reliable way to find bears in August is to watch huckleberry patches on open hillsides. If the berries are ripe it’s a good bet a bear will show up eventually. Bears also eat grasses and forbs, small mammals, large mammals, fish, roots, honey, and a number of other foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like the cervids, bears will often look for cool, shady places to take a rest during warm days. Though they may also stay out and eat all day, especially during autumn when they are trying to put on some extra fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding Wildlife Near Hidden Lake and Logan Pass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Hidden Lake and Logan Pass area is the best place to see wildlife in Glacier National Park because it meets the habitat requirements of all the big animals in a small area. Near Logan Pass, there is great mountain goat and bighorn sheep habitat. As you move toward Hidden Lake there are more patches of timber to support elk and deer and riparian areas for moose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you know the habitats different animals are likely to use, you’ll need to consider when animals will be using those habitats and the best method to see them when they’re there. The best time of day and method for viewing may vary for different species of wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the Best Method to Find Wildlife?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spotting with Optics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
You will have the best success finding wildlife the place where you can see the most wildlife habitat. Usually, the best way to do this is to find a good vantage point that overlooks areas where animals are likely to be feeding or bedded. Then use binoculars and\/or a spotting scope to find animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Animals that are feeding in meadows and openings in the forest are usually quite easy to spot. If you are using optics, it’s a good idea to scan the openings first to see if any animals are out and moving around. Once you’ve checked the open areas you can start focusing on places with vegetative cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even with optics, there will be some areas where the vegetation is too thick to see into. In other areas, there may be places where you can see through to the ground. During the warm part of the day make sure to look in shaded areas for animals that may be bedded there to escape the heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the Logan Pass visitors center, we were able to see a bighorn ram on the opposite hillside without binoculars. He was over a quarter of a mile away and laying down, but once you knew where he was it wasn’t too hard to pick him out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking and Looking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you don’t have binoculars or a spotting scope don’t worry. You will have opportunities to see wildlife without them. Mountain goats are a prime example. Because they are nearly white, you can spot mountain goats at long distances without optics. Glacier National Park is full of mountain goats, especially in the Logan Pass and Hidden Lake areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also spot animals while hiking trails, though it’s not as effective as dedicating time to sit and look. If the main purpose of your hike is to see animals it pays to slow down a little bit and spend more time looking and listening to your surroundings. I would not recommend this method for bears. It’s safest to spot bears from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, even if you’re just hiking at regular speed there’s a good chance you can still find wildlife. We saw several mountain goats in the meadows and cliffs next to the Hidden Lake Trail and Logan Pass area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n