Where to See Moose in Maine: Best Maine Moose Tours

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Searching for where to see moose in Maine? You’ve come to the right place! Maine has the second-highest moose population in the United States (right behind Alaska) and there are several ways you can put yourself in a position to catch a glimpse of the majorly majestic Maine moose.

Moose in Maine

They are most active around dawn and dusk, so head out early or at the end of the day to optimize your chances of seeing a Maine moose.

The best time to see Moose in Maine is May-July, and in fall when they mate.

They are great swimmers and love to hang out in swampy, boggy areas, but during the cold season, you may just find a moose licking the salt off of the roads!

Be extremely cautious driving, especially at night. Moose are massive creatures and because they are so tall, the reflection in their eyes from headlights is not as easily seen at night as it is with deer. They also tend to meander slowly across roads, so don’t count on them being able to dodge your vehicle!

There are moose sightings reported all around Maine, but you aren’t likely to see a moose in certain areas, like Acadia National Park. That’s okay, because if you’re looking for where to see moose in Maine, you’ll see there are several ways to increase the chances of coming across one of these interesting creatures.

Best Maine Moose Tours

Female moose with baby moose
Moose sightings in Maine aren’t rare, but some places see more moose activity than others.

Several outdoor organizations offer Maine moose safaris with an experienced guide that will show you safely around areas that moose are frequently sighted. The major advantage of a moose safari is that there is someone to lead you to where you are most likely to spot a moose and to teach you how to do it safely. Don’t forget, these are wild animals that weigh between 800-1100lbs with antlers that can grow up to 6-feet wide; you do not want to get too close!

Northwoods Outfitters Moose Safaris

Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville offers highly rated Maine moose safaris both on water and land with their knowledgeable guides that know how to get you close enough for an incredible picture, yet distant enough for maximum safety. You can join a group tour or commission a private safari, but either way Northwoods Outfitters’ guides are known for adapting each safari to ensure that you have an incredible moose tour experience.

In addition to moose safaris, Northwoods Outfitters offers plenty of other outdoor activities to get you outside where you might just have a chance encounter with a moose. They rent ATVs, bikes, canoes, kayaks, snowmobiles, and snowshoes, so there are plenty of options to explore the beauty of Maine and its wildlife with Northwoods Outfitters.

Northeast Whitewater Moose Tours

Northeast Whitewater in Shirley Mills is one of the area’s most beloved outdoor activity one-stop-shops. Moose tours are available both via water and land, and spots fill up quickly so reservations are required 30 days in advance.

Northeast Whitewater has a wide array of outdoor activity options, including whitewater rafting, ice cave excursions, stand up paddle-boarding, bird-watching, and even a guided tour to the B52 crash site on Elephant Mountain. Getting active outside in the Maine Highlands is an excellent way to put yourself in the position of happening upon a moose.

Twin Maple Outdoors Moose Safari Adventures

Another top rated Maine outdoor adventure company is Twin Maple Outdoors, and in addition to their moose safari offerings, they also lead guided recreation adventures for kayaking, hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and more.

One of their most popular outdoor adventures, of course, is their Moose Safari Adventures. You can choose to tour by water or land, and other adventures can be added to the tour as well if you’d like to fish or swim a little while on your moose tour.  These are all day tours that include a picnic lunch break, and the guides at Twin Maple Outdoors get rave reviews for their knowledge about Maine wildlife and natural history.

Moosehead Area Guide Services Moose Watching Tours

One of the best place to see moose in Maine is the Moosehead Lake region, where it is said moose outnumber people 3 to 1! Not only will you have a great shot of seeing Maine moose at Moosehead Lake, but joining one of the Moosehead Area Guide Services Moose Watching Tours almost ensures (no moose tour guide will ever guarantee, of course) that you will see one of these neat creatures.

Plus, Moosehead Lake is just a cool place to visit all around.

Where to See Moose in Maine while Hiking

There is no doubt that the Pine Tree State has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in North America, and most of them have some potential for moose sightings. Moose cannot see very long distances, but they do have incredibly sharp hearing, so the quieter, less congested trails will have more potential for a moose encounter.

Baxter State Park

Baxter State Park in Millinocket has 215 miles of trails to choose from, including trails that lead to Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in the state. As glorious as the payoff is for reaching the summit, it is a very advanced and strenuous hike and takes between 8-12 hours, depending on which trail you take up.

If this does not sound like something you are interested in, don’t worry! Baxter State Park officials provide a list of several intermediate-easy hike options, and “Moose Passes” (a 3-hour parking pass, the parking lot fills up VERY fast) for Sandy Stream Pond, where moose sightings happen often, as long as you approach quietly and don’t scare them off.

Scopan Mountain Trail

Scopan Mountain Trail is located near Presque Isle in Aroostook County and is considered an intermediate hike. The hike is only 3.5 miles total but packs a punch with a marshy wetland area that attracts moose and other wildlife that come to feast on the aquatic plants found there. The trail also has views of Alder Lake, where you might just catch sight of a moose taking a swim! Just as with all moose sightings in Maine, you will have a far better chance of seeing moose in the wild if you can travel quietly and lightly.

Bull Moose
Looking for the best place in Maine to see moose? Keep reading!

Visit the Maine Wildlife Park

The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray is home to over 30 species of Maine wildlife that have come to the park after being injured, orphaned, or unable to return to the wild for some other reason. This is the only 100% guaranteed way to see a moose in Maine (or a black bear, a cougar, a coyote, a bald eagle, and many more). The park also offers presentations and demonstrations for the public throughout the week, so be sure to check out what events are happening during your visit.

Where to Drive to See Moose in Maine

If you ask where to see moose in Maine, there are plenty of places where you are likely to see them either by or on the road! Always use caution while driving in Maine and be on the lookout for moose and all wildlife. It is a possibility that you might see a moose either off in the distance or perhaps even making its way across the road ahead of you anywhere in the state, but you are very likely to spot a moose while driving in one of these regions below.

Kennebec and Moose River Valley

US Route 201 is referred to as Old Canada Road Scenic Byway or “Moose Alley,” and is the perfect moose habitat because it is surrounded by lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Keep your eyes peeled for both the beautiful scenery and the occasional Maine moose that may be grazing on the side of the road!

Aroostook County

Aroostook County is one of the best regions in Maine to spot moose. US Route 11 between Ashland and Patten is known for both its spectacular views of Mount Katahdin and the likelihood that you will see at least one moose alongside the road during your drive.

Other Aroostook County drives known for their moose sightings are US Route 161 Caribou to Fort Kent, and US Route 1 Caribou to Van Buren, where it is said that not only are you likely to see a moose, chances are you will see at least 2!

Rangeley Lakes Region

Rangeley Lakes Region is home to 6 large lakes, so there is lots of moose activity here! Some of the most oft-cited routes to see moose are Route 4 between Phillips and Rangeley, and Route 16 Rangeley to Stratton, but there is an entire list of Rangeley Lakes Region routes that are known for their moose sightings if you’d like some more options.

There are plenty of opportunities to see moose in Maine; wherever you go, have fun looking for Maine moose!

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