Maine has no commercial drive-thru safari or animal parks. What it does have is one of the largest moose populations in the lower 48, and Mainers have a few famous stretches of road nicknamed “Moose Alley” where you can spot them from your car for free.
- Route 16 “Moose Alley” (Rangeley to Stratton)
- Route 201 “Moose Alley” (The Forks to Jackman)
- Kokadjo & Lazy Tom Bog (near Greenville)
ROUTE 16 “MOOSE ALLEY” (RANGELEY TO STRATTON)
Type: Free scenic drive through moose habitat in western Maine’s mountains and lakes region
Location: Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, ME (about 2 hours north of Portland)
Phone: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, (207) 287-8000
Website: Maine IF&W
Social Media: No site-specific accounts
Length: About 18 miles between Rangeley and Stratton. You can extend it toward Eustis and Carrabassett Valley, or take Route 4 between Rangeley and Phillips (22 more miles of prime moose country).
Animals: Moose are the main draw. You may also see white-tailed deer, foxes, black bears, loons, and bald eagles.
Admission: FREE
Best Time:
- Dawn (about 5–8 AM) and dusk, when moose come out to feed in the roadside wetlands.
- Late spring through early summer and early fall have the most sightings.
Tips:
- Watch for cars pulled over on the shoulder, which is a sure sign of a moose.
- Have one passenger scan the right side and another scan the left.
- Bonus stop: The Quill Hill summit road, off Route 16 in Dallas Plantation, has 360° views and great sunsets.
- Rangeley Lake State Park and Kennebago Lake are also good moose spots.
ROUTE 201 “MOOSE ALLEY” (THE FORKS TO JACKMAN)
Type: Free scenic drive along the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway in the Kennebec Valley
Location: US Route 201 from The Forks to Jackman, ME (central-western Maine, continuing to the Canadian border)
Phone: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, (207) 287-8000
Website: Maine IF&W
Social Media: No site-specific accounts
Length: About 25 miles from The Forks to Jackman, and longer if you continue to the border
Animals: Moose, deer, black bears, and birds of prey
Admission: FREE
Best Time: Dawn and dusk
Tips:
- Stop at the Attean View rest area just south of Jackman for big mountain and lake views.
- Local outfitters in The Forks also run guided moose safaris by van or canoe.
KOKADJO & LAZY TOM BOG (NEAR GREENVILLE)
Type: Free roadside and bogside moose viewing in the Moosehead Lake region. The tiny village of Kokadjo is often called the “Moose Capital of Maine.”
Location: Lazy Tom Bog, Kokadjo, ME (about 18 miles northeast of Greenville on Lily Bay Road / Greenville Road)
Phone: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, (207) 287-8000
Website: Destination Moosehead Lake
Social Media: No site-specific accounts
Animals: Moose feed in the bog shallows. Herons, ducks, and beavers are also common.
Admission: FREE
Best Time: Sunrise and sunset, especially late spring through early fall
Tips:
- The road between Greenville and Kokadjo is a reliable dusk moose drive.
- Pull fully off the road at the bog and watch quietly from your car or the roadside.
- Several Greenville outfitters offer guided moose safaris by boat, canoe, or van.
SAFETY & GENERAL TIPS FOR MOOSE VIEWING
- Drive at or below the speed limit, especially at dawn, dusk, and night. Moose are dark and hard to see, and collisions are extremely dangerous.
- Never approach a moose. They can weigh up to 1,800 lbs and can kick in any direction. Watch from your car.
- Pull completely off the road before stopping, and use your hazard lights.
- Fall hunting season: Moose hunting runs in parts of Maine in fall, so check Maine IF&W for dates and zones. Mid-October is also peak leaf-peeping, so book lodging early.
- Many hotspots are reached by gravel or logging roads. Check road conditions, and yield to logging trucks.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
New Hampshire