Estes Park touts itself as the year-round adventure playground of Colorado and the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park. Tourists visiting Estes Park often find themselves in close proximity to the elk that freely roam around town and can be lulled into a false sense of safety by their apparent indifference to the presence of humans.
To be clear, even if an elk appears at one moment not to be bothered by visitors straying too close, don’t be fooled they are just ignoring you and can become aggressive in a split second with catastrophic consequences. Take for example this woman outside the Estes Park Visitors Center who decided to hold her ground when a bull elk walked in her direction rather than vacating the area as specified by the Estes Park elk viewing policy of maintaining at least 25 yards distance away from elk at all times.
Luckily for the woman, a trashcan was conveniently available to separate herself from the elk and deflect its antlers. This is an excellent example of a tourist incorrectly assuming elk are docile and harmless only to discover they are quite the opposite when provoked.
If you are visiting Estes Park the most important thing to remember when dealing with elk is maintaining a safe distance of at least 25 yards away from them at all times. If you are visiting during the mating season known as the rut, additional space is recommended.
“Keep at least 75 feet between you and the elk, about the length of two school buses. If the elk notice you, you’re too close!”
Estes Park Police Department Elk Viewing Safety Guidelines:
- Elk are wild animals which must be observed from a safe distance to avoid injury or death. If an animal is carefully watching you and appears “jumpy” when you move, you are too close.
- Keep pets secured on a leash and do not allow them to bark at, lunge at, or chase wildlife.
- Never block traffic. Move your vehicle to a safe place completely off the roadway to watch elk.
- Do not imitate an elk call, or bugle, when elk are irritable during the rut. This can endanger you and the elk.
- Elk know no boundaries, but people do. Respect private property when viewing wildlife.
The Estes Park Police Department does enforce wildlife laws including laws against feeding or harassing wildlife, or allowing one’s pet to harass wildlife.