NH Moose Tours
What you need to know to select a vendor.
You've probably seen the New Hampshire conservation license plate with various creatures adorning the plate. The conservation plate was the brainchild of the Holderness School  4th grade class of Jane Kellogg back in 1992. Little did they know that 4 years later their idea would be so strongly embraced by thousands of NH citizens who wanted a Moose on their license plate.
Today thousands of cars carry the Moose license plate and the result is hundreds of thousands of dollars going into the conservation fund for habitat protection and endangered species preservation. The moose has become the informal New Hampshire symbol, especially since the Old Man of the Mountain fell.
What you may not have known is that at one time New Hampshire's population of moose had dwindled to only a handful living in the Great North Woods. From the 1980's to 2010 Moose made a miraculous recovery and now range throughout the state and especially in the North Country and the Central region of New Hampshire. However, recently the population has begun to dwindle, most likely due to problems associated with Climate Change and in particular the growth of New Hampshire's population of Winter Ticks a species that takes a toll on both the young calves and the older Moose.
If you have never seen a Moose it's an experience that you don't want to miss and with changes in the population going out with a tour is the most likely way to see one. Here are five tour companies offering a variety of different guided tours and their 2018 prices!
136 Main St.
Lincoln, NH 03251
Now in their 20th year Pemi Valley Moose Tours is based in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Pemi Valley Moose tours boasts a 97% success rate in spotting moose. The tour features a very comfortable air conditioned mini-bus that takes you on a trip that ranges from 3 to 3.5 hours. Nightly excursions feature a guided tour of the local area, a video about Moose, and interesting historical sites along the way. Pemi Valley Moose Tours has a driver for the bus and a separate tour guide whose sole job is to keep the trip interesting and to help spot moose. According to their website they are the only NH company that features both.
They are located just off Exit 32 of Interstate 93 at the beginning of the Kancamagus Highway.
Their online reservation form allows you to set up your tour in advance.
| Tour Length: |
3-3.5 Hours |
| Success Rate: |
97% |
| GPS Address: |
136 Main St Lincoln, NH 03251 |
| 2018 Fares and Prices: |
$32 per adult, $22 per child |
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Facebook Page |
PO Box 1123
North Conway, NH 03860
On the other side of the Kancamagus, in the North Conway area, you will find Mount Washington Valley Moose Tours, now in their 12th year of operations. MWV Moose Tours runs evening tours and has a success rate of 94%. In quiet moments - between the "hotspots" - they show videos and slideshows of moose seen on previous tours. Each tour company has their very own set of hotspots and very often they have scouts who go out checking the hotspots to assure that you get to see one of these extraordinary critters. Pemi Valley and MWV share the hotspots along the Kancamagus Highway but otherwise have their own special spots on either end of the scenic highway.
| Tour Length: |
3.5 Hours |
| Success Rate: |
94% |
| Pick Up Address: |
Train Station: 40 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH |
| 2018 Fares and Prices: |
Adults & Teens: $35 - (cash payment secured with credit card) |
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Adults & Teens: $37.50 - (payment with credit card) |
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Age 12 and Under: $25 - (when accompanied by an adult) |
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Added costs for holiday seating |
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Facebook Page |
69 Main St.
Gorham, NH 03581
Still farther north you will find Gorham Moose Tours now in their 13th year of operations. Like all of the tour companies listed so far, Gorham Moose Tours has special permission from the State of New Hampshire to operate vehicles that are especially equipped with spotlights that make finding and viewing moose after dark easier. The use of such spotlights is generally not allowed - as this technique, known as "Jacking", is sometimes used for illegal hunting also known as poaching.
Like other tours, the length of the tour is between 3 and 3.5 hours and takes you to the hotspots mostly north of the Pinkham Notch region.
When the guides are reasonably confident that it is safe for riders to disembark from the bus to get a closer look at the Moose they will stop and allow this under close supervision. However, it is important to stress that moose are wild animals and may act unpredictably so please exercise caution even when your guides allow you to get a closer look, especially in the latter parts of the summer and fall when Males - aka Bull Moose - are in the mating season also known as the "Rut".
| Tour Length: |
3-4 Hours |
| Success Rate: |
93-9794% (9994% in 2017) |
| GPS Address: |
69 Main St., Gorham, NH 03581 |
| 2018 Fares and Prices: |
Adults:$30.00, Children $20.00 (4 and under $10.00) |
|
Facebook Page |
Also in the town of Gorham is the new kid on the block when it comes to Moose Tours, Dan's Scenic Tours . Dan's provides both group tours and private tours with group Moose tours departing at 6:30 pm daily.
What makes Dan's tours unique is the flexibility that he brings to his business. He has standard private tours but if you are looking for something special, he'll work with you to design something just for your needs.
| Tour Length: |
3-3.5 Hours |
| Success Rate: |
Not provided |
| GPS Address: |
50 Main St. Gorham, NH 03581 |
| 2018 Fares and Prices: |
(Public) Adults: $30.00, Children $20.00 (5 and under $10.00) |
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Private Day Tours $250 up to 5 people and $50.00 per person for added individuals |
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Facebook Page |
Muzzy Hill Road
Milan, NH 03588
For something a bit different try private ATV Tours offered by Moose Poop ATV Adventures on Saturday evenings only with prices starting at $230.00 for a 4-5 hour tour in the backcountry. Bring your own ATV or rent one through local vendor Bear Rock Adventures or ride on one of their guided ATVs. Their success rate is a little lower than the roadside tours above but the scenery is pretty spectacular so even if you don't see a moose you will have a great experience.
| Tour Length: |
4½ - 5 Hours |
| Success Rate: |
85% |
| Mailing Address: |
PO Box 772, Kingston, NH 03848 |
| 2018 Fares and Prices: |
$230 for -1- person |
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$280 for -2- people |
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$330 for -3- people |
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Check with vendor about rentals |
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Facebook Page |
Posted 6/19/18
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