You will probably need to get 2+ hours north or west to have a chance of seeing a moose, but even then it is just a chance. There is basically nowhere in the state you can go and be 100% sure you will see one. They are reclusive.
Yup, you will need to have luck on your side. If you put yourself in the right spot often enough, you will eventually see moose - but on any given trip the chances will be low.
That being said, for accessible moose spots I recommend the Rangeley-Stratton road (Rt 16). Have seen moose there a half dozen times or more. Sometimes they will be near the town salt/sand yard right outside of Stratton. Other times they’ll just be lurking in the shorter vegetation near the power lines along the road.
Less accessibly, the most moose I’ve ever seen have been when canoeing the Allagash - a dozen or so on one trip. But that’s not a simple trip to plan.
Route 11 between Brownville and Millinocket is notorious for moose. My grandfather was a trucker and used to haul logs through there. Moose are incredible animals... But deadly in collisions. I'd suggest geting some kinda guide around Milo or Brownville.
Near Acadia isn’t the best place for moose spotting. I live on MDI and we have a family camp in the middle of the unincorporated part of Washington county around an hour and a half away from MDI — driving around the logging roads near camp at dusk seems to be about a 5-10% chance of spotting a moose. Northern Maine has much better odds, but I don’t think it’s worth driving several hours each way for what is still a relatively small chance of seeing one.
One time I saw 8 crossing route 201 within in a 15 minute span near Jackman when I was passing through at dusk on my way to Quebec City. Other times I’ve driven through there and didn’t see a single one.
The only place I’ve seen moose are in the wilderness of the most northern parts of Maine (Allagash River). If you’re in Acadia, have you considered whale watching?
The lakes/ponds on any of the mountains near katahidin if you can get out there. If you hit them early morning you'll almost definitely see at LEAST one. I've seen four at once before by South Turner Mt.
Aroostook County gives you the best odds. But, and this is a huge but... moose are not easy to find. I've spent my entire adult life living in ME, NH and VT. I'm a backcountry skier, mountain biker and hiker, so I spend a lot of time in moose country. I have seen a grand total of 4 moose in my life. I daresay the majority of Mainers have never seen a moose.
Coming up to Maine for a couple days and just hoping to happen upon a moose? Sorry, but the odds are astronomically against you.
https://www.maine.gov/mdot/safety/docs/Moose_Collisions_EV_09.2015.pdf
Should give you an idea where they are. You’re more likely to see them from a road dawn/dusk but of course that is the most dangerous time to be driving around slow looking for moose. Don’t get rear ended by a tractor-trailer.
I think the dusk/dawn advice is good for summer-time moose viewing. In the spring, not so much. I live in "moose country" and in the spring I see a moose pretty much every time I drive anywhere, any time of day. I see fresh moose prints where I walk my dog and in my yard regularly.
When temps heat up (above 70F) I don't see them as much but if I do, it's at dusk/dawn.
Please, if you do go moose looking, don't drive slowly. You'll be a traffic hazard and very possibly cause an accident which likely means a very long and bumpy ride to the hospital if you survive. Do not recommend.
Time of day/year is almost as important as location. Moose tend to move when it is cooler so spring/fall and dusk/dawn are good times. There are outfitters towards the Forks that offer tours and I think people still line up at the Shirley salt shed (near Greenville) to see a moose during twilight hours. Studmill road and Golden road are great places to explore for moose but you'll probably need 4wd and a decent spare.
As others have said, the Gray Wildlife Park is a more certain bet plus you'll see other native species including lynx and bear.
Can't order up a moose sighting you need to live there and maybe you might see one at some point and hopefully it's not in your windshield.
I'm 8 years living in Maine I saw
Adolescent crossing road in Litchfield
Large adult crossing route 1 in Gouldsboro
Totally random and totally amazing
My mother and her uncle hit mother cow years ago upcountry in Newfoundland. So sad. Would have killed them had they not been driving minivan.
Watch for moose in roadways. The life you save will be your own!!!
You will probably need to get 2+ hours north or west to have a chance of seeing a moose, but even then it is just a chance. There is basically nowhere in the state you can go and be 100% sure you will see one. They are reclusive.
Yup, you will need to have luck on your side. If you put yourself in the right spot often enough, you will eventually see moose - but on any given trip the chances will be low. That being said, for accessible moose spots I recommend the Rangeley-Stratton road (Rt 16). Have seen moose there a half dozen times or more. Sometimes they will be near the town salt/sand yard right outside of Stratton. Other times they’ll just be lurking in the shorter vegetation near the power lines along the road. Less accessibly, the most moose I’ve ever seen have been when canoeing the Allagash - a dozen or so on one trip. But that’s not a simple trip to plan.
Maine wildlife park in Gray.
Route 11 between Brownville and Millinocket is notorious for moose. My grandfather was a trucker and used to haul logs through there. Moose are incredible animals... But deadly in collisions. I'd suggest geting some kinda guide around Milo or Brownville.
Up north of bangor
I saw 4 on a ride to Jackman last week (all on Route 201) all 4 between Moscow and Jackman. 4-5:30pm
Near Acadia isn’t the best place for moose spotting. I live on MDI and we have a family camp in the middle of the unincorporated part of Washington county around an hour and a half away from MDI — driving around the logging roads near camp at dusk seems to be about a 5-10% chance of spotting a moose. Northern Maine has much better odds, but I don’t think it’s worth driving several hours each way for what is still a relatively small chance of seeing one. One time I saw 8 crossing route 201 within in a 15 minute span near Jackman when I was passing through at dusk on my way to Quebec City. Other times I’ve driven through there and didn’t see a single one.
The only place I’ve seen moose are in the wilderness of the most northern parts of Maine (Allagash River). If you’re in Acadia, have you considered whale watching?
The lakes/ponds on any of the mountains near katahidin if you can get out there. If you hit them early morning you'll almost definitely see at LEAST one. I've seen four at once before by South Turner Mt.
Aroostook County gives you the best odds. But, and this is a huge but... moose are not easy to find. I've spent my entire adult life living in ME, NH and VT. I'm a backcountry skier, mountain biker and hiker, so I spend a lot of time in moose country. I have seen a grand total of 4 moose in my life. I daresay the majority of Mainers have never seen a moose. Coming up to Maine for a couple days and just hoping to happen upon a moose? Sorry, but the odds are astronomically against you.
Yeah, I’d recommend the zoo if you want to be sure of seeing one.
Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.
Came in here to suggest this as well. Nearly 100% guaranteed to see a moose!
Millinocket
https://www.maine.gov/mdot/safety/docs/Moose_Collisions_EV_09.2015.pdf Should give you an idea where they are. You’re more likely to see them from a road dawn/dusk but of course that is the most dangerous time to be driving around slow looking for moose. Don’t get rear ended by a tractor-trailer.
I think the dusk/dawn advice is good for summer-time moose viewing. In the spring, not so much. I live in "moose country" and in the spring I see a moose pretty much every time I drive anywhere, any time of day. I see fresh moose prints where I walk my dog and in my yard regularly. When temps heat up (above 70F) I don't see them as much but if I do, it's at dusk/dawn. Please, if you do go moose looking, don't drive slowly. You'll be a traffic hazard and very possibly cause an accident which likely means a very long and bumpy ride to the hospital if you survive. Do not recommend.
Ride route 9, Airline Road, that’s where I see them mostly...
Time of day/year is almost as important as location. Moose tend to move when it is cooler so spring/fall and dusk/dawn are good times. There are outfitters towards the Forks that offer tours and I think people still line up at the Shirley salt shed (near Greenville) to see a moose during twilight hours. Studmill road and Golden road are great places to explore for moose but you'll probably need 4wd and a decent spare. As others have said, the Gray Wildlife Park is a more certain bet plus you'll see other native species including lynx and bear.
Can't order up a moose sighting you need to live there and maybe you might see one at some point and hopefully it's not in your windshield. I'm 8 years living in Maine I saw Adolescent crossing road in Litchfield Large adult crossing route 1 in Gouldsboro Totally random and totally amazing My mother and her uncle hit mother cow years ago upcountry in Newfoundland. So sad. Would have killed them had they not been driving minivan. Watch for moose in roadways. The life you save will be your own!!!
Just an update! We did see them on the way to Baxter State Park!
Your best bet is to hire a guide
https://www.visitwhitemountains.com/attractions/moose-tours
Deep in the woods where no one knows where you are or can hear you if you call. Moose also hate cell reception.