Hiking Project Logo

gem icon Bighorn Sheep Viewing - Sheep Lakes [Suggest Edits]

19 votes
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Description

At particular times during the summer, the bighorn sheep come down to Sheep Lakes. Bighorn sheep move to low elevations in late spring and early summer when they descend from the Mummy Range to Sheep Lakes in Horseshoe Park. Here, they graze and eat soil to obtain minerals not found in their high mountain habitat. The minerals are essential in restoring nutrient levels depleted by the stresses of lambing and a poor quality winter diet.

Bighorn sheep visits to Sheep Lakes are hit-and-miss, but generally occur between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Groups between one and sixty sheep move from the ridge on the north side of the valley, across the road and stay up to two or three hours before reversing the trip back to the high country.

On the Road: Drive west, out of Estes Park on Trail Ridge Rd. (US 34) to Horseshoe Park and the Sheep Lakes Parking area.

Family Friendly: Kids will love getting a close look at these iconic creatures!

Gem Type: Viewpoint

Shared by:
Brian Smith

0 Comments

You & This Gem

Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 3, 2024
Tom Herr
We saw no bighorn sheep. The ranger talks ended for the season, so we looked along the ridge and meadows and noted the beauty without sheep.
Jun 9, 2024
Hy Pearson
Apr 24, 2024
Kaylee Braz
lovely area! took my kid crew of 4 and did a little walk up the trail and then around toward the meadow and the lakes.
Feb 5, 2024
Angel Brown
Sep 18, 2023
Anne Cecere
Jul 19, 2023
Ashley Baker
Jul 14, 2023
Karen Blake
Didn't see any sheep though
Aug 17, 2022
Alex Butch
Went in the middle of the day. Didn't see any bighorn sheep

Nearby Gems

gem Favorite Representing the REI NP Centennial backpack at Dream Lake, looking towards Flattop Mountain (right) and Hallett Peak (left).

Dream Lake

(143) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite Alberta Falls

Alberta Falls

(107) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite Bear Lake.

Bear Lake

(121) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite Looking south across Gem Lake on a calm spring morning

Gem Lake

(77) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite View towards Never Summer Mountains, Rocky Mountain NP

Trail Ridge Road Summit

(61) Grand Lake, CO
gem Favorite The Loch, Rocky Mountain NP CO

The Loch

(44) Grand Lake, CO
gem Favorite The edge of Chasm Lake

Chasm Lake and The Diamond

(37) Grand Lake, CO
gem Favorite View of Longs Peak, looking west from Lily Lake. Lily Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park, Colorado.

Lily Lake

(33) Estes Park, CO

Nearby Trails

8.3 mi 13.3 km Sky Pond
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry - Perfect!
64 days ago
322 
3.3 mi 5.4 km Emerald Lake
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
4 days ago
366 
14.0 mi 22.5 km Longs Peak - Keyhole Route
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry
19 days ago
134 
8.2 mi 13.3 km Chasm Lake
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
4 days ago
114 
6.0 mi 9.7 km Loch Vale
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry
30 days ago
88 
5.7 mi 9.1 km Best of Bear Lake Area Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry
8 days ago
138 
0.6 mi 1.0 km Bear Lake Trail
Easy Easy
Estes Park, CO
Easy Easy
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
4 days ago
89 
6.1 mi 9.9 km Cub Lake Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
73 
7.5 mi 12.1 km Twin Sisters
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry
25 days ago
64 
8.5 mi 13.6 km Bear Lake TH to Fern Lake TH
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
Dry - Perfect!
64 days ago
57 
Shared by Brian Smith on Aug 18, 2015. All Page Views: 4,492. Last Month: 6.
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.