Discover the 10 best places to see mountain lions in fall! Here's our guide for thrilling encounters in prime locations.
Fall is a captivating season for those passionate about wildlife and the great outdoors. The chance to spot mountain lions amidst the vibrant golden and crimson foliage is a dream come true for many wildlife enthusiasts.
As the temperatures start to drop and leaves transition to their autumnal hues, specific spots emerge as prime locations for observing these majestic creatures.
If you’re eager to know the best places to see mountain lions in fall, look no further. We’ve curated a list of top destinations that promise a thrilling encounter with these magnificent big cats.
Shasta Trinity National Forest, CA
The Shasta Trinity National Forest is a beautiful area of mountains, lakes and rivers. The forest is located in Northern California, about two hours north of Sacramento.
The Shasta Trinity National Forest has several areas that are perfect for hiking and camping. The Trinity Alps Wilderness Area is a popular spot for hikers because it offers many different trails and views of the surrounding mountains.
There are also plenty of campgrounds in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area that offer everything from tent sites to RV hook-ups. Some even have showers and laundry facilities. The campgrounds are open year round, but they’re especially popular during the winter months when they serve as an escape from urban life.
The forest is a part of the Klamath Range, which is known for its rugged mountains, rivers, and lakes. The forest is home to many species of wildlife such as deer, bear, mountain lions, and eagles. It also has several lakes that are popular among boaters, kayakers, and fishermen.
Sierra National Forest, CA
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Sierra National Forest. The leaves change color, the air is crisp and clear, and the animals are preparing for winter. It’s a perfect time to visit this stunning national treasure.
Autumn in the Sierra National Forest is a time of transition. The summer crowds have left, but visitors can still enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and more without being overwhelmed by other people.
Mountain lions are found throughout the entire Sierra National Forest. They are most commonly spotted near streams, rivers, and lakes where they can find their prey easily. They are also found in higher elevations when hunting for mule deer or other small animals to eat.
Tonto National Forest, AZ
The Tonto National Forest is a great place to visit year-round. The best time to go is in the fall, when there isn’t too much snow on the ground and the temperatures are pleasant. You can enjoy hikes through oak forests, along creeks and rivers, and through rock formations.
The best time to go is during the fall season. During this time of year, you can hike through oak forests, along creeks and rivers, and through rock formations. This is also a great time to go camping because it’s not too cold yet so you don’t have to worry about your tent or sleeping bag getting wet if it rains overnight.
The Tonto National Forest is a large forested area in central Arizona. The Tonto National Forest is home to many species of wildlife, including mule deer, coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats.
Saguaro National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States. The park is known for its beautiful desert landscape, but it also has some amazing waterfalls. One of these waterfalls is located at the base of the mountains on North Mountain. The waterfall is called Pat’s Canyon Falls and it usually flows from November through March.
Saguaro National Park, AZ
Saguaro National Park has an abundance of wildlife that makes itself known throughout the year. Visitors can spot many species during their visit including Mountain Lions, coyotes, bighorn sheep, deer and golden eagles.
The canyon is a great place to hike if you’re looking for something challenging but not too difficult. The trail winds up into the mountains where it’s cooler and more green than other parts of Arizona.
The best time to visit this national park is during Fall when temperatures are perfect and there isn’t much rain or snowfall expected during your stay here. The leaves on the saguaro cactus change color in autumn, turning bright shades of red and orange as they prepare for winter. Many other plant species also produce brilliant colors at this time of year.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, CO
Autumn is a beautiful time to explore the mountains of Colorado. The aspens are changing color and the weather is still warm enough to hike without a jacket. You can enjoy the fall colors on day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips.
Aspens turn gold and orange, elk bugle from the hillsides, and the air becomes crisp with fall temperatures. In autumn, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests offer many opportunities for recreation including hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding and more. You can also see wildlife such as deer, elk, bears or mountain lions.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Mesa Verde National Park is a wonderland of ancient ruins, and it’s also one of the most accessible national parks in the country. The park is just an hour and a half from Denver, which makes it an ideal place to visit if you’re looking for something to do on the weekends.
The park preserves the cliff dwellings of the Ancient Pueblo People, who lived there between AD 600 and 1300. Before the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century, the Pueblo people built more than 600 cliff dwellings within the park’s boundaries. Today, only about half of these structures are still inhabited, and most are closed to public access. The park’s epicenter is Cliff Palace, a large multi-storied canyon dwelling considered to be one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park.
The park has a wide variety of terrain and vegetation, including canyons, cliffs and mesas within its 1 million acres. The park is home to more than 300 species of birds and 130 species of mammals, including Mountain Lions, deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
Flathead National Forest, MT
The fall is a wonderful time to visit the Flathead National Forest in Montana. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, but the crowds have thinned out and the forests are getting ready to change colors.
The mountains surrounding Lake McDonald are covered with pine trees and aspens that turn yellow, orange and red in September. The forest floor is covered with leaves that crunch underfoot as you hike through the woods. The smell of pine is everywhere, mixed with smoke from campfires burning throughout the forest.
Wolves and Mountain Lions are also active during this time of year, so be on the lookout for tracks or scat along your trail.
Glacier National Park, MT
Autumn is a great time to visit Glacier National Park. The crowds are gone, the weather is cool and comfortable, and the leaves are changing.
Glacier National Park has some of the most spectacular fall colors in North America. Aspens turn bright yellow and orange in mid-September, while cottonwoods along streams turn golden browns.
The hillsides are a patchwork of reds, yellows, and oranges as maples, birches, and dogwoods go into their annual transformation from green to brilliant hues.
Glacier National Park is home to many animals. The park is filled with wildlife. There are black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, elk, and bighorn sheep. There are also smaller animals such as squirrels and chipmunks.
Gila National Forest, NM
The Gila National Forest is a rugged range in southwestern New Mexico. It’s home to the Gila Wilderness, which is one of the largest roadless areas in the continental United States — and it’s also a place that perfectly captures the essence of autumn in the southwest.
The Gila is a high-elevation mountain range, so autumn colors are muted by golden hues and cool temperatures.
This area is home to many different species of animals such as Mountain Lions, bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes. There are also many species of birds that can be found in this area including eagles and owls. Some of the more common animals found here include deer and elk along with porcupines, rabbits, squirrels and raccoons
Sequoia National Forest, CA
Autumn is a great time to visit Sequoia National Forest. The temperatures are mild, the crowds have thinned out, and the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors.
The leaves have turned red and gold, there’s a chill in the air and the smell of wood smoke hangs in the air. Autumn is here!
The views are spectacular as you drive through the park on your way to your favorite campground. It’s also a great time for hiking and biking. If you want some solitude, head out on a trail that few people know about. If you just want to take it all in, find a spot along the Generals Highway where you can pull over and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Sequoia National Forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. You can see black bears, mountain lions and deer throughout the forest. The Sequoia National Forest has many different species of animals that you can see at any time of year.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors this October, consider exploring some of these amazing wilderness areas to see mountain lions.
They are great places to escape the crowds while enjoying some of the most scenic views our country has to offer.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore some of America’s wildlife refuges. With all of the national parks, forests and monuments surrounding you, you should seriously consider spending a couple of hours or a day in these wonderful areas.
Your chance to spectate and explore a mountain lion is just around the corner!
