Wildlife Watching Near Lincoln, MT

Wildlife

Wildlife is one of the things guests mention most. The campground sits in open country with forest and mountains all around us, so elk and deer are regular visitors and a moose shows up once in a while.

Some of the best wildlife viewing happens without ever leaving your site. Pour a cup of coffee in the morning, sit outside your RV, and keep an eye on the tree line. You never know what might wander by.

Quick facts

Most common: Elk and deer
Once in a while: Moose
Best time: Early morning and dusk
Elk bugling: September

What you might see

Elk

Most common in spring and fall

Herds move through the meadows around Lincoln. In September you may hear bulls bugling in the evenings.

Mule deer and whitetails

Year round

Common around the campground and along the roads in the valley, especially at dawn and dusk.

Moose

Once in a while

They show up in the willows and trees nearby. Seeing one is always a treat.

Bears

Give them plenty of room

Black bears and grizzlies both live in the mountains around Lincoln. Sightings near camp are uncommon, but it’s always good to be prepared.

Birds

All season

Hawks, eagles, and plenty of songbirds. Seeley Lake is known for its common loons.

Deer are regular visitors around the campground.

Through the seasons

Spring: Elk often gather in the open meadows as the snow melts, and deer are out feeding on the first green grass. Late spring is also when calves and fawns are born, so give mothers extra room.
Summer: Animals tend to move into the cooler timber during the heat of the day and come out in the early morning and evening.
Fall: September is the elk rut, and on a quiet evening you may hear bulls bugling across the valley. It’s a sound you won’t forget.

Best places to look

Right from your site, early in the morning and the last hour before dark.
The drives toward Helena, Missoula, and Philipsburg, especially through the open valleys and ranch country.
Copper Creek Road and Stemple Pass, where the forest meets the meadows.
Seeley Lake, known for its nesting loons along the Clearwater Canoe Trail.

Please give them space

Watch from a distance, and use your camera’s zoom instead of walking closer.
Never feed wildlife. It isn’t good for them, and it teaches them to come around people.
Keep dogs close and on a leash when animals are nearby. Moose in particular can be protective, especially around their calves.
This is bear country. It’s a good habit to keep food, coolers, and pet food put away when you’re not using them.

A moose in the trees near Lincoln.

Learn more nearby

The Lincoln Ranger Station in town has a grizzly bear exhibit, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor Center in Missoula has free exhibits on elk and other Montana wildlife, open weekdays. Both are great stops if you want to know more about the animals you’re seeing.

Keep exploring

Wildlife watching near Lincoln