Wildlife

The State Forest State Park provides a home for a great number and variety of wildlife, providing the perfect place for wildlife watching and wildlife photography.

Animals You Might See

Among the larger animals are moose, bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, and elk. Smaller mammals include the snowshoe hare, coyote, bobcat, beaver, weasel, pine marten, river otter, fox, marmot, and porcupine. Common birds include blue grouse, ptarmigan, golden eagle, bald eagle, Steller’s jay, gray jay, chickadee (mountain and black-capped), brown-capped rosy finch, gray-headed dark-eyed junco, and several species of waterfowl.

Fish species include brook trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and arctic grayling.

Places to See Wildlife

• The State Forest State Park offers many opportunities to spot wildlife, from the three nature trails to the moose viewing deck overlooking the Canadian River accessed off County Road 41.
• Check out the watchable wildlife kiosk at North Michigan Reservoir.
• To learn all about moose and other wildlife in the area, stop in to see the interactive displays and sighting board available at the Moose Visitor Center near the town of Gould on Highway 14.