Rocky Mountain National Park

Elk rut, peaking mid-September to mid-October Every autumn the elk come down from the high country to the montane meadows to breed, and bulls open the season with a crescendo of deep, resonant bugling at dawn and dusk. Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park and Upper Beaver Meadows are the classic stages. From September 1 through October 31, those meadows, along with Harbison and Holzwarth, are closed to off-trail foot travel from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m., so you watch from roads and trails, at least 75 feet back. The closures exist to stop people disturbing elk during the mating period, which tells you how popular this show is: arrive early, stay by your car and let the bulls come to you. Bulls can be aggressive in the rut, so give them extra room.