Sharing the Mountains: Wildlife You Might See (and How to Respect It)

One of the best surprises about staying in a mountain town is the wildlife. Whether you’re in Mammoth Lakes or Steamboat Springs, the animals out here aren’t hidden away in some distant wilderness — they’re often right outside your window, crossing a trail, or wading in a creek a few hundred feet from the road. It’s one of the things that makes these places genuinely special.

What You Might See

In Steamboat Springs, the Yampa Valley is home to moose, elk, deer, black bears, mountain lions, marmots, beavers, foxes, and an impressive variety of birds. Moose in particular have a habit of showing up wherever they feel like it, including downtown. In Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra, you’re in the territory of black bears, mule deer, coyotes, mountain lions, and a rich mix of birds of prey including bald eagles and ospreys. The area is also home to Wildcare Eastern Sierra, a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife across Mono and Inyo counties — a reminder of just how much life shares this landscape with visitors.

Keep Your Distance

Bears that learn to associate people with food often have to be relocated or put down. So the most important thing you can do is enjoy wildlife from a real distance. Both the National Park Service and Colorado Parks & Wildlife recommend staying at least 75 feet from most large animals, and further from bears and mountain lions. Never approach or try to touch a wild animal — even one that seems calm or indifferent. Animals can be unpredictable, and their space deserves the same respect you’d want for your own.

If you come across an animal that appears sick or injured, resist the urge to intervene yourself. Well-meaning people often do more harm than good. Keep a safe distance and call local animal control or, in the Eastern Sierra, Wildcare Eastern Sierra at (760) 937-2450.

Food, Trash & Bears

When it comes to food and trash, be diligent. Bears in particular are incredibly resourceful, and anything that smells like food — including empty wrappers, pet food, or even toothpaste — can draw them in. The immediate problem is the loss of your food and a mess. The long-term problem is that bears who become dependent on human food can become dangerous nuisances and often end up being removed or put down. Feeding animals, even accidentally, puts their lives at risk.

Dogs, Leashes & Trail Etiquette

Dogs are welcome in many areas around both Mammoth and Steamboat, but always keep them leashed in wildlife corridors and check whether dogs are permitted before heading out on a specific trail. A dog that chases an elk or surprises a moose can find itself in serious danger — and so can you. Dogs that harass wildlife are also a real safety risk for all parties involved. Keep them close and keep everyone safe.

Watch the Roads

If you’re driving through the mountains, especially at dawn and dusk, slow down and stay alert. Wildlife crossings aren’t just signs — collisions with deer, elk, and even moose happen more often than most people expect, and they can be devastating for both the animal and your vehicle. In areas around Mammoth Lakes, dedicated wildlife underpasses have been built along Highway 395 to help animals cross safely. The roads belong to them too.

Part of what makes Mammoth Lakes and Steamboat Springs worth visiting is that the natural world hasn’t been fenced off or tamed. A moose outside your window or a bear crossing the trail ahead of you is a privilege, not a photo opportunity. Treat it that way, and you’ll come home with a story worth telling.