Sheep Lakes
Sheep Lakes
4.5
About
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Sheep Lakes and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 5 kms
Attractions
72 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
20
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Sailorsgirl
Springfield, MO5,936 contributions
Oct 2020
I should start by saying that we love Rocky Mountain National Park and try to visit once a year when possible. Due to the pandemic, visitors must make Park reservations which can be easily done on the NPS website at a cost of $2.00 per visit to control the crowds inside the Park, plus the entrance fee which at the beginning of October was $25.00, or free if you have a lifetime Senior Pass.
We decided to visit at this time to see the annual Fall Elk Rut. We arrived October 1 and sadly the Rut was non-existent the four days of our stay. We see more animals in and around the Park in spring and summer.
The entire area seems to have been experiencing a drought as everything was brown and dry. The Sheep Lakes were down to large puddles, so the area did not look lush and green as it does in the spring and summer. There is a little Ranger hut but no one was occupying it when we visited. There are lots of information boards to learn about sheep that inhabit this area of the Park. Several years ago in early summer, the entire flock of sheep came running down the mountain on the opposite side of the road right in front of our car, and down to the Lakes. No sheep this visit.
The Park Rangers are doing an exceptional job under difficult circumstances. We are grateful to them for the important work they do. We will return at a better time of year.
We decided to visit at this time to see the annual Fall Elk Rut. We arrived October 1 and sadly the Rut was non-existent the four days of our stay. We see more animals in and around the Park in spring and summer.
The entire area seems to have been experiencing a drought as everything was brown and dry. The Sheep Lakes were down to large puddles, so the area did not look lush and green as it does in the spring and summer. There is a little Ranger hut but no one was occupying it when we visited. There are lots of information boards to learn about sheep that inhabit this area of the Park. Several years ago in early summer, the entire flock of sheep came running down the mountain on the opposite side of the road right in front of our car, and down to the Lakes. No sheep this visit.
The Park Rangers are doing an exceptional job under difficult circumstances. We are grateful to them for the important work they do. We will return at a better time of year.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie C
Huntsville, AL21 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
The Sheep Lakes viewing area is not far from the Fall Creek Entrance. The lot has plenty of parking places for those wanting to see wildlife. Unfortunately on our trip, we saw no wildlife. We had read the Big Horn Sheep frequent here, as well as moose. We got there around 5:30 and stayed for a bit. We didn’t see anything :(. The site offers pretty views of Big Horn Mountain, but I wouldn’t plan your trip around stopping here to see wildlife. I read the sheep will come down the mountain on the other side of the road and cross over to go to the field/lake. I also read, in the summer months they tend to stay up on the mountain. Either way, I wouldn’t count on seeing anything. Please note this viewing area does not have a restroom. Closest ones are back at the visitor center or up the road on one of the trailheads.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee G
Philadelphia, PA278 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
We saw the most wildlife here, without trekking into the woods. Coyote in the fields stalking prey, moose coming down from the woods to the larger pond on the left. We missed the bighorn sheep every time we stopped by ("ten minutes ago" *sigh*). You'll need a telephoto lens for good photos (one member in our group took photos through her binoculars). The ceremony to declare the area a National Park was held in this beautiful spot for photos. Parking wasn't a problem here.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stijntailly
Waregem, Belgium298 contributions
Oct 2019
Good spot to see elk grazing on the meadows, but you should probably bring binoculars. There's a large parking area, indicating that this is a spot where the elk always congregate. Best time to see them is probably in the morning or the evening. For an even better chance to see elk (and much more up close) around Estes Park, head to the golf course closest to downtown. We even saw an elk cross the street.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSUTraveller
Watson, LA1,923 contributions
May 2023
Probably the best and more secure bet for wildlife viewing in the park. You can certainly see animals in other places, but this offers the best congregation (elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mule deer, WY gophers, etc. Plenty of parking and the volunteer Rangers are very helpful. Nice that the lot is dog friendly.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ann p
Walker, LA36 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Sheep Lakes is a beautiful valley in Rocky Mountain National Park. There is no hiking involved..a roadside attraction. The lakes attract wildlife. However, you apparently need to be there early in the morning or late in the evening to see anything. We were there is the afternoon and saw no wildlife. However, it is still a lovely place for lunch.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne
Dallas, TX286 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
In our 2 days at RMNP, this was THE place to spot wildlife. There was always a full parking lot and something going on. We spotted a moose in the evening and also the next morning which was the highlight of our visit. Absolutely stop here!
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAP
15 contributions
May 2022
Go here!! The entire park is spectacular. Be sure to travel the entire distance between Grand Lake and Estes Park. Lots of greats scenery and amazing stops. Pictures can be taken everywhere. The feeling at the Top of the Drive (Divide) will amaze you. Just don’t miss it!
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie
Springfield, MO14 contributions
Aug 2021
Nice place to see moose. We did see one which was a fun experience. Not far into the RMNP. We went a few times to make sure we spotted one. They are there at different times of the day. I think it was evening when we drove up.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephen g
NYC265 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
If you're coming in from the Fall River entrance, this is likely the first expansive view of Rocky Mountain NP that you'll get. Take it in, and then be prepared for many more like it.
Depending on the time of the day, and the time of the year, you might be able to see Big Horn sheep. Yes, these two lakes are named because the sheep like to lick the salt and minerals coming out of the ground here. Elk have been known to congregate in the meadow, though they are dusk to dawn visitors.
Depending on the time of the day, and the time of the year, you might be able to see Big Horn sheep. Yes, these two lakes are named because the sheep like to lick the salt and minerals coming out of the ground here. Elk have been known to congregate in the meadow, though they are dusk to dawn visitors.
Written October 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing