Moose Tours in Maine
A Memorable Wildlife Experience
Voted Best Moose Tours in Maine!At Northwoods Outfitters, we offer the best way to see moose in Maine, providing unforgettable wildlife adventures in the breathtaking Moosehead Lake region. Join us for a thrilling moose watching tour led by expert Registered Maine Guides. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or looking for a family-friendly adventure, our tours cater to all. Explore the Moosehead Lake region’s pristine wilderness, learn about its rich history, and marvel at iconic moose and other wildlife in their natural habitat. From private photography tours to family and group expeditions, our expert guides ensure a safe, memorable journey. With a high success rate for sightings and breathtaking scenery, Northwoods Outfitters is your premier choice for Maine moose tours.
Where to See Moose in Maine
Maine Moose Tour times
Tour Times:
- May 1 – September 20
Morning: 5:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM - September 20 – November 30
Morning: 5:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Evening: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Custom times are available.
Your Moosehead Tour Includes
- Maine Guide: A professional Registered Maine guide and naturalist
- Transportation: from Northwoods Outfitters to backcountry mountains and ponds
- Flexible tours by water or land—your guide will have all the necessary gear for either a paddle or driving tour, so no need to choose in advance
- Safety: Lifejackets are provided for water tours. Children 10 and under are required to wear a lifejacket at all times.
- Food & Water: Bottled water is included. You may bring whatever snacks and beverages you like.
What to Know
- Family Friendly: Perfect for kids of all ages
- Meeting point: Moose Tours depart from Northwoods Outfitters; please check in early.
- Custom just for you: All Tours are Private and tailored to your interests and experience. Your guide will drive you to the backcountry. If you choose to paddle a remote pond and/or explore the backcountry only, it’s your choice. There is no need to decide between water and land in advance; your guide is prepared for both!
- Weather: Due to the unpredictable nature of our weather, all tours go rain or shine. There are no refunds for inclement weather. However, if we determine conditions are unsafe and must cancel your trip, someone will notify you, and you will be fully refunded if you choose not to reschedule.
Why Choose Us
- Experienced Guides: Friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable, our guides are among the best in Maine and know exactly where to find the elusive Maine Moose.
- Small, Personalized Trips: Enjoy an intimate experience designed to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife.
- High Success Rate: Our tours yield over 1,000 moose sightings annually.
- Trusted by Professionals: Professional photographers choose us for prime moose photo opportunities.
- Decades of experience: With over 25 years of experience, our moose tours in Maine have led to thousands of sightings.
- Featured in the Media: Our tours have been spotlighted by ABC, CBS, PBS, The Boston Globe, Outside Magazine, Yankee magazine #1 best chance of seeing a moose! The New York Times, and many more.
Choose Your Moose Tour Adventure
Private Moose Watching Tour
All tours are customized to your interest and ability.At Northwoods Outfitters, Maine’s premier outdoor outfitter, we take pride in offering the best moose safari experience. Your private tour will be led by an experienced and knowledgeable Registered Maine Guide who is passionate about the Maine wilderness and its incredible wildlife. With a deep understanding of the local ecosystem, our guides are not only skilled at finding moose but also well-rounded naturalists who bring the wilderness to life.
On your safari, you’ll not only have the chance to see Maine’s iconic moose and other wildlife, but you’ll also learn about the rich history and unique stories that make the Moosehead Lake region so special. With a high success rate for wildlife sightings and a dedication to creating memorable adventures, Northwoods Outfitters is the best choice for your Maine moose tour. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Northwoods!
Moose Photography Tours
Moose tours For the amateur or professional PhotographersCapture the beauty of Maine’s wilderness on a private photography tour, perfect for amateur and professional photographers. This guided journey offers exceptional scenery, moose and wildlife watching, and fascinating local history. Navigating the Moosehead Lake region’s vast backcountry can be challenging, but with a Registered Maine Guide, you can focus on your craft without worrying about directions or missing a turn. Relax, soak in the breathtaking views, and keep your camera ready—Maine’s moose and other wildlife often make surprise appearances! From panoramic mountain vistas to secluded wildlife hotspots, this tour is designed to provide photographers with unforgettable shots.
Family & Group Moose Watching Tour
Bring your family or group to share an unforgettable experienceBring your family or group to experience the magic of Maine’s wilderness on a private moose watching tour! Suitable for all ages, these adventures combine stunning scenery, incredible wildlife sightings, and engaging local history. Led by our knowledgeable Registered Maine Guides, you’ll explore the backcountry of the Moosehead Lake region, where moose and other wildlife are frequent visitors. Without worrying about navigation, you can relax and enjoy the journey. From breathtaking mountain views to secret wildlife hideaways, our tours provide a safe and unforgettable experience, creating cherished memories for families and groups alike. We can accommodate up to 12 people on your private tour.
It was totally worth getting up in the dark and heading out on a chilly, light rainy morning to see moose in Maine. Steve is a fabulous guide and he knew exactly where to look. We saw 8 moose total, including one big bull. Absolutely the best wildlife tour we’ve done.
Best Time to See Moose in Maine
Maine has the largest moose population in the lower 48 states, and the Moosehead Lake region gives you access to the kind of backcountry habitat where moose spotting is part of the experience. Northwoods schedules tours in the early morning, and in the evening, for a reason: moose are most active around dawn and dusk, when temperatures are cooler and movement increases.
During the warmer months, moose often spend more time near ponds, streams, bogs, and lake edges, especially when they are feeding on aquatic plants or cooling off. As summer shifts into fall, bulls become more active during the rut, which begins in late September and lasts into early October. That can make moose more visible, although it also means giving them extra space and staying alert around larger bulls.
If you are hoping for that classic Moose tour by vehicle style of moose spotting, the formula is the same here: start early, stay patient, and let a local guide take you to the kinds of quiet roads, remote ponds, and backcountry edges where moose are more likely to appear.
Moose Spotting Tips
- Choose a morning or evening tour, when moose are most active.
- Watch shorelines, bogs, pond edges, and quiet back roads, especially in warmer weather.
- Stay quiet and patient. Sudden movement, slamming doors, or loud talking can end a sighting quickly.
- Bring binoculars or a camera, and always keep a respectable distance.
- During mating season, give bulls extra space and never push in for a closer look.
- Let your guide decide whether the day is better by vehicle or by water. Tours are flexible, and that adaptability helps maximize moose spotting chances.
Moose Tour FAQs
Moose are the star of the show, but sightings can also include other wildlife, big Northwoods scenery, quiet ponds, mountain views, and stories about the history of the Moosehead Lake region. Some outings are especially popular with photographers, while others are designed for families and groups.
Tours generally last 3-4 hours but can be shortened or extended directly with your guide. Our tours are morning and evening viewing windows, with custom times available. Because every trip is private and tailored to your interests and ability, the exact structure can vary depending on conditions, route, and whether the day is best by driving tour or paddle.
For more than 30 years, our Maine guides have been helping guests experience the thrill of seeing moose in the wild. Our guides spend every day in the woods, tracking movement, watching patterns, and keeping up with where moose are most active right now.
Because of this level of expertise, we achieve success rates exceeding 90%. While nothing in nature is guaranteed, our guides know where to go and will do everything possible to give you the best chance of an unforgettable sighting.
The easiest option for many guests is a vehicle-based tour. Tours are private and customized. If someone in your group has mobility concerns, the best approach is to ask in advance so the outing can be planned around that person’s needs and whether a driving tour makes more sense than a paddle tour. The tours are family-friendly and suitable for kids of all ages.
Bring layered clothing, a camera or binoculars, and any snacks or beverages you want for the outing. Bottled water is included, and life jackets are provided for water-based tours. Rain gear is also smart, since tours run rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe.
You can pair your moose tour with nearby Moosehead Lake lodging, including Northwoods’ suites and the Moose Mountain Inn, and build out a full Moosehead Lake stay with Guided Fishing Trips, Maine Water Adventures by Boat or Paddle, or Overnight Canoe Trips.
