{"id":703,"date":"2021-11-15T15:48:19","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T15:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/"},"modified":"2024-06-03T08:55:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T07:55:04","slug":"where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Spot Wildlife in the Canadian Rockies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#Why_wildlife_in_the_Rockies_is_protected\" >Why wildlife in the Rockies is protected?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#The_Code_of_Conduct_for_Wildlife_Watching_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\" >The Code of Conduct for Wildlife Watching in the Canadian Rockies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#Best_Wildlife_Spotting_Tours_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\" >Best Wildlife Spotting Tours in the Canadian Rockies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#What_animals_can_you_spot_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\" >What animals can you spot in the Canadian Rockies?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#1_Grizzly_Bears\" >1. Grizzly Bears<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#2_Black_Bears\" >2. Black Bears<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#3_Mountain_Goats\" >3. Mountain Goats<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#4_Beavers\" >4. Beavers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#5_Moose\" >5. Moose<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#6_Bighorn_Sheep\" >6. Bighorn Sheep<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#7_Elk_Deer\" >7. Elk &amp; Deer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#8_Porcupines\" >8. Porcupines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#9_Chipmunks_Ground_Squirrels_Pika_and_Marmots\" >9. Chipmunks, Ground Squirrels, Pika, and Marmots<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#10_Grouse_and_Ptarmigan\" >10. Grouse and Ptarmigan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#11_Wolves\" >11. Wolves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#12_Woodland_Caribou\" >12. Woodland Caribou<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/#A_list_of_roads_to_increase_your_chance_of_spotting_wildlife_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\" >A list of roads to increase your chance of spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"font-size:26px\">From grizzly and black bears to small and cute pikas and marmots, there is plenty of wildlife in the Rockies, and the best part is, you can spot them in the natural habitat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_wildlife_in_the_Rockies_is_protected\"><\/span>Why wildlife in the Rockies is protected? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Great White North has been famous for its wildlife&nbsp;long before Canada was officially declared a country over 150 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, when tourism began to boom during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, hunting was a popular pastime. Beaver hats were&nbsp;trendy back in Europe, where the majority of the settlers came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the devastation of the Hudson Bay area in eastern Canada, the hunting epidemic moved further and further west.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The tourists coming to the Canadian Rockies had never seen so much wildlife in their entire lives.<\/strong>&nbsp;The news started to spread and not before long hunters were flocking to the major hubs of Banff and Jasper. And they did some serious killing&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually,&nbsp;Parks Canada decided that hunting all creatures at such an uncontrolled, unsustainable rate, was doing a lot of damage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At one point during the peak of this hunting epidemic,&nbsp;86% of all Canadian beavers had been killed. Thankfully, many species are now protected and hunting is heavily monitored as it should be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;re probably wondering what&#8217;s left to see after&nbsp;a century&nbsp;of devastation. Well, thankfully&nbsp;quite a lot. If given enough space and left alone wildlife thrives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11884285699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Code_of_Conduct_for_Wildlife_Watching_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\"><\/span>The Code of Conduct for Wildlife Watching in the Canadian Rockies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wildlife in the Canadian Rockies is tough and holds onto a state of constant fragility. It bears temperatures as low as minus 50\u00b0C and highs of positive 40\u00b0C. The animals here are adapted like few\u00a0others on the face of this planet and need to be constantly respected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>N<\/strong>ever feed or approach any wildlife<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Always keep your distance from large mammals (especially bears), carry bear spray whilst hiking and know how to use it.\u00a0<strong>Fines for approaching and feeding wildlife can be up to 25000 CAD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Remember a fed bear is a dead bear<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many animals that become habituated to human feeding are often destroyed. Do not be the reason that one of these creatures has to be euthanized. Familiarize yourself with the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/pn-np\/mtn\/ours-bears\/securite-safety\/ours-humains-bears-people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bear Safety Tips From Parks Canada.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Wildlife_Spotting_Tours_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\"><\/span>Best Wildlife Spotting Tours in the Canadian Rockies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst you never get a guarantee for seeing any wildlife, there is no doubt that you will have the best chances if you join a guided tour. Below are a few of my recommendations for wildlife spotting tours in the Canadian Rockies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-gyg-href=\"https:\/\/widget.getyourguide.com\/default\/activities.frame\" data-gyg-locale-code=\"en-US\" data-gyg-widget=\"activities\" data-gyg-number-of-items=\"3\" data-gyg-cmp=\"Wildlife_spotting\" data-gyg-partner-id=\"TYYOXUU\" data-gyg-tour-ids=\"121160,230192,190352\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animals_can_you_spot_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\"><\/span>What animals can you spot in the Canadian Rockies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re planning on coming to the Canadian Rockies and want to visit many of the spots where you can find wildlife then consider looking into&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/category\/canadian-rockies-itineraries\/\">my road trip itineraries around western Canada<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By following along you will spend a lot of time&nbsp;submersed in nature where wildlife encounters are commonplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840055799\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Grizzly_Bears\"><\/span>1. Grizzly Bears<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Grizzly-Bear-on-Bow-Valley-Parkway-1-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9567\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Grizzly-Bear-on-Bow-Valley-Parkway-1-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Grizzly-Bear-on-Bow-Valley-Parkway-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Grizzly-Bear-on-Bow-Valley-Parkway-1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Grizzly-Bear-on-Bow-Valley-Parkway-1-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are around 10x more Grizzlies in British Columbia compared with Alberta. I ran into my first grizzly when&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-guide-mount-assiniboine-provincial-park\/\">hiking in&nbsp;Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My second close encounter with a sow and two cubs (the worst scenario possible) was on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/tonquin-valley-backpacking-guide\/\">Tonquin Valley trail.<\/a>\u00a0I was followed by her for a good 15 minutes, but luckily she wasn&#8217;t showing any signs of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third time I spotted a grizzly on a hike was on the trail up to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/smutwood-peak-hike\/\">Smutwood Peak<\/a>. I&#8217;ve got to admit viewing them from the safety of a car is much more enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Alberta, they can often be sighted&nbsp;around Lake Louise &amp; the&nbsp;Bow Valley Parkway, from the Gondola in Lake Louise,&nbsp;in&nbsp;Kananaskis Country (Highway 40 &amp; 742),&nbsp;and along&nbsp;Maligne Lake Road&nbsp;in Jasper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In June &#8211; July bears often&nbsp;graze on dandelions at the side of the road before they transition to (buffalo) berries around August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting off early in the morning can be advantageous. Due to less overnight traffic, they aren&#8217;t scared away from the road by the sheer volume of tourists or park authorities. Their estimated numbers are as follows: 65 in Banff National Park, 109 in Jasper, 11-15 in Yoho National Park, and 9-16 in Kootenay National Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re not lucky enough to spot one in the wild, there&#8217;s also a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/banff-l284\/banff-grizzly-bear-refuge-tour-with-lunch-t225081\/?partner_id=TYYOXUU&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;cmp=Grizzly_bear\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/banff-l284\/banff-grizzly-bear-refuge-tour-with-lunch-t225081\/?partner_id=TYYOXUU&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;cmp=Grizzly_bear\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grizzly Bear Sanctuary in Golden, BC<\/a> that you can visit on a trip from Banff.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Season: April &#8211;&nbsp;October<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840056299\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Black_Bears\"><\/span>2. Black Bears<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Black-Bear-Canada-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9445\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Black-Bear-Canada-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Black-Bear-Canada-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Black-Bear-Canada-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Black-Bear-Canada-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Black Bears are much more common than grizzlies. I saw my first black bear on a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/vancouver-island-road-trip-guide\/\">road trip around Vancouver Island<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you go out driving early in the morning on <strong>Olympic Drive in Whistler<\/strong>&nbsp;(not in the Rockies)<strong>, Clearwater Road in Wells Gray Provincial Park, Pyramid Lake Road and Edith Cavell Road in Jasper, the Bow Valley Parkway or Highways&nbsp;40 or 742 in Kananaskis<\/strong>&nbsp;you&#8217;ll have a decent chance to spot one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Season: April &#8211;&nbsp;October<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840056899\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Mountain_Goats\"><\/span>3. Mountain Goats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2535.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain Goat. Canadian Rockies\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As the name suggests, you&#8217;ll find them in the mountains. Dotted all over the place, keep an eye out for them whilst you&#8217;re trekking. They love steep ledges away from predators.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commonly sighted whilst hiking&nbsp;many of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/\">trails in Kananaskis Country<\/a>&nbsp;(for example Sarrail Ridge and EEOR) and along the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/icefields-parkway-travel-guide\/\">Icefields Parkway<\/a>&nbsp;at an aptly named&nbsp;<strong>roadside pull-off called &#8220;Goats and Glaciers&#8221;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840057399\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Beavers\"><\/span>4. Beavers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2536.jpg\" alt=\"Beaver. Where to Photograph Wildlife in the Rockies\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can spot them along the rivers and swamps that run through the major towns in the Rockies. Commonly sighted along Police Creek in Canmore, one of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/photography-spots-canmore-and-kananaskis\/\">the most photogenic spots in Kananaskis Country<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another one is&nbsp;Fenland Trail and Vermillion Lakes in Banff&nbsp; (one of those&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-photography-spots-banff-national-park\/\">postcard-worthy photo locations&nbsp;in Banff National Park<\/a>).<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-photography-spots-jasper-national-park\/\">&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beavers are nocturnal so it&#8217;s widely accepted that the best time to view them is at sunset as they are emerging, or at sunrise as they are just going to sleep. In winter, they are less active, spending most of their time in their lodges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840058099\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Moose\"><\/span>5. Moose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2537.jpg\" alt=\"Moose spotted along the Peter Lougheed Highway in Kananaskis Country\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Moose, known colloquially as swamp donkeys are incredibly docile and shy creatures. You can find them down the Spray Lakes Highway (742) near the Engadine Lodge in the aptly named&nbsp;<strong>Moose Meadows.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the winter they like to hang around by the road and lick the salt off the cars. Another spot is in Jasper along the&nbsp;<strong>Moose Lake Loop<\/strong>&nbsp;trail or&nbsp;in the marshes on the&nbsp;<strong>Tonquin Valley Trail<\/strong>. The earlier in the day you&#8217;re there the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840058399\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Bighorn_Sheep\"><\/span>6. Bighorn Sheep<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2538.jpg\" alt=\"Bighorn Sheep - Wildlife Spotting in the Canadian Rockies\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Not\u00a0very elusive or difficult to find, they can often be seen in the meadows up\u00a0<strong>Mount Lady MacDonald<\/strong>, on the\u00a0<strong>Lake Minnewanka Road,<\/strong>\u00a0or the road near\u00a0<strong>White Man&#8217;s Pond<\/strong>\u00a0in between\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/ha-ling-peak-sunrise-hike\/\">Ha Ling Peak<\/a>\u00a0and the East End of Rundle near the town of Canmore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re out&nbsp;and about on some of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-hikes-canmore-and-kananaskis\/\">the day hikes in Kananaskis Country<\/a>, chances are you&#8217;ll bump into some. I have also seen plenty of bighorn sheep on the&nbsp;<strong>Wilcox Pass hike<\/strong>&nbsp;along the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/icefields-parkway-travel-guide\/\">Icefields Parkway<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840058999\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Elk_Deer\"><\/span>7. Elk &amp; Deer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2539.jpg\" alt=\"Elk in Jasper National Park\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Elk can be spotted all over the place, especially during the rutting season (September) in\u00a0Jasper. During my first few weeks in Canada, I remember hanging out in the park near the visitor centre in Jasper and the whole herd was just grazing on the grass right in the middle of the town.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canmore also has plenty of Elk and so does Banff (<strong>they like to hang out on the golf courses<\/strong>). Often males move their harem of females into the center of town to protect them against the hungry wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In rutting season the bulls bugle and can be very aggressive. Keep your distance and forget about taking selfies! Elk are the number one&nbsp;cause of wildlife incidents in the Rockies. Mainly&nbsp;due to ignorant tourists getting too close.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2540.jpg\" alt=\"Elk in the bushes near Canmore\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840059399\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Porcupines\"><\/span>8. Porcupines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Paradise-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-Hike-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9838\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Paradise-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-Hike-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Paradise-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-Hike-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Paradise-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-Hike-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Paradise-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-Hike-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They may look cute, but they are bolder than one may think. I&#8217;ve run into porcupines twice when&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-day-hikes-lake-louise\/\">hiking to Lake Agnes and Paradise Valley in Lake Louise<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;and both times they weren&#8217;t very keen on letting me through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though pretty harmless to humans do not approach\u00a0it if you bump into one, especially when hiking with your dog. The quills on their back are very sharp and detach easily. If your pup isn&#8217;t careful it may end up with quills in its snout. I can imagine it isn&#8217;t very pleasant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840059699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Chipmunks_Ground_Squirrels_Pika_and_Marmots\"><\/span>9. Chipmunks, Ground Squirrels, Pika, and Marmots<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bald-Hills-27-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9434\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bald-Hills-27-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bald-Hills-27-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bald-Hills-27-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bald-Hills-27.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EEOR-4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9495\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EEOR-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EEOR-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EEOR-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EEOR-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"javascript:\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2544.jpg\" alt=\"Ground Squirrel\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"javascript:\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2545.jpg\" alt=\"Pika\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Marmots, chipmunks, and ground squirrels are very&nbsp;common and easy to spot,&nbsp;especially on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-hikes-jasper-national-park\/\">the&nbsp;alpine hikes in Jasper National Park<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-hikes-canmore-and-kananaskis\/\">trails near Canmore and Kananaskis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marmots take shelter under rocks and can often be seen sunbathing on top of them. I have seen&nbsp;a lot of them&nbsp;when on the&nbsp;<strong>Bald Hills hike<\/strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/indian-ridge-hike-jasper-national-park\/\">Indian Ridge<\/a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/skyline-trail-jasper\/\">multiday Skyline Trail in Jasper<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ground squirrels can often be seen peeking out of their&nbsp;burrows right in the town of Canmore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for Pikas, the distinctive pitch &#8220;EEEEEEEKK&#8221; of those cute rodents with elephant-like ears\u00a0can be often heard along with rockfall areas. I&#8217;ve seen quite a few of them on the\u00a0<strong>Edith Cavell Meadows near Jasper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most friendly of all &#8211; chipmunks often hung around tourist hotspots such as&nbsp;<strong>Moraine Lake<\/strong>&nbsp;and all&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/best-day-hikes-lake-louise\/\">the hikes in the Lake Louise area<\/a>. Some of them are&nbsp;very bold and will steal your food when you are not watching! Remember to keep the wildlife wild!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840060199\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Grouse_and_Ptarmigan\"><\/span>10. Grouse and Ptarmigan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-34-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8763\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-34-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-34-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-34-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-34.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-35-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8764\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-35-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-35-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-35-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Tonquin-Valley-Jasper-NationalPark-35.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;d sort of describe them as woodland chickens. They can be seen on many trails all over Canada, frequenting&nbsp;many trails&nbsp;including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/lake-ohara-backpacking-guide\/\">Lake O&#8217;Hara<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/tonquin-valley-backpacking-guide\/\">Tonquin Valley<\/a>,&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-guide-berg-lake-trail\/\">Berg Lake Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grouse often act quite funny. Instead of running off the trail, they will quite often walk ahead of you for quite some time. The males can be aggressive during mating season (late April through May), but due to their small size, they are pretty harmless to humans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11840061699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Wolves\"><\/span>11. Wolves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2548.jpg\" alt=\"Wolfdog from the Yamnuska Sanctuary\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wolves are very elusive, especially since the cull of 2015 in the Bow Valley (Banff and Canmore). There are some in Jasper but I know people who have lived there their entire lives without seeing one. However, there is a little bit of a workaround if you&#8217;re willing to be flexible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary&nbsp;outside Cochrane and not far from Canmore offers an incredible chance to see and interact with Wolfdogs. It&#8217;s a non-profit organization that pioneers in the field of rescuing and rehabilitating wolfdogs from all over North America.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-gyg-href=\"https:\/\/widget.getyourguide.com\/default\/availability.frame\" data-gyg-tour-id=\"393707\" data-gyg-locale-code=\"en-US\" data-gyg-currency=\"CAD\" data-gyg-widget=\"availability\" data-gyg-variant=\"horizontal\" data-gyg-partner-id=\"TYYOXUU\" data-gyg-cmp=\"Yamnuska_sanctuary_widget\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11848846299\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Woodland_Caribou\"><\/span>12. Woodland Caribou<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2549.jpg\" alt=\"Woodland Caribou. Guide to Spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Only around 250, members of the Woodland Caribou species remain in the National Mountain Parks, 70 of which are in Jasper National Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the main herds can be spotted in September on the&nbsp;<strong>Tonquin Valley Trail<\/strong>&nbsp;or trails around the Maligne Range such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/skyline-trail-jasper\/\">the Skyline Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is&nbsp;<strong>the most endangered species on the list<\/strong>&nbsp;so if you happen to see one, keep your distance and let them be. I photographed the bull above with a long-range zoom lens.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11848852799\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_list_of_roads_to_increase_your_chance_of_spotting_wildlife_in_the_Canadian_Rockies\"><\/span>A list of roads to increase your chance of spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Highway 40<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highway 742<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bow Valley Parkway<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maligne Lake Road<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/icefields-parkway-travel-guide\/\">Icefields Parkway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highway 11<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vermillion Lakes Road<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pyramid Lake Road<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clearwater Valley Road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From grizzly and black bears to small and cute pikas and marmots, there is plenty of wildlife in the Rockies, and the best part is, you can spot them in the natural habitat. Why wildlife in the Rockies is protected? The Great White North has been famous for its wildlife&nbsp;long before Canada was officially declared &#8230; <a title=\"Where to Spot Wildlife in the Canadian Rockies\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/where-to-spot-wildlife-in-canadian-rockies\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Where to Spot Wildlife in the Canadian Rockies\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canadian-rockies-photography","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=703"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26011,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703\/revisions\/26011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}