It ranges from Alaska south, except for the coastal areas, to isolated parts of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The lynx is also found in central Utah and in a fraction of Colorado. They also use early seral stage communities bordering dense forests. They are also found in the taiga region of North America. Lynx occur in both dense climax forests and second-growth stands.
Lynx require a mix of early and late seral habitats to meet their food and cover needs.
Early seral habitats provide the lynx with a prey base, while mature forests provide denning space and hiding cover. Pockets of dense forest must be interspersed with prey habitat. Lynx den in rotten logs, beneath tree roots, and in rock crevices. Lynx prey primarily on snowshoe hare. Lynx also feed on deer, moose, and caribou carcasses.