The United States is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in the world, and there's no better place to see it than in our national parks. From the towering bison of Yellowstone to the majestic elk of Rocky Mountain National Park, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Wildlife viewing is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the natural world. It's also a fun and educational activity that the whole family can enjoy.
In this article, we'll explore some of the best national parks for wildlife viewing with your family. We'll also provide tips on how to have a safe and successful wildlife viewing experience.
So whether you're looking to see bighorn sheep in Denali National Park or bears in Glacier National Park, we've got you covered. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife viewing adventure!
1. Denali National Park, Alaska:
Denali National Park is a wildlife lover's paradise. With over 6 million acres of pristine wilderness, the park is home to a wide variety of animals, including moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, and many more. The best time to go wildlife viewing in Denali is during the summer months, when the days are long and the animals are more active. However, wildlife can be seen year-round, so you're never guaranteed to miss out.
There are a few different ways to see wildlife in Denali. You can take a bus tour on the Denali Park Road, which will take you through some of the park's most popular wildlife viewing areas. You can also hike or bike on one of the park's many trails, or go on a guided wildlife viewing tour. No matter how you choose to see wildlife in Denali, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience. The park is home to some of the most majestic animals in the world including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, sheep, and wolves.
2. Everglades National Park, Florida:
Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including alligators, crocodiles, manatees, dolphins, birds, and more. The best time to go wildlife viewing in the Everglades is during the winter dry season, when the water levels are lower and the animals are more concentrated. However, wildlife can be seen year-round.
There are a few different ways to see wildlife in the Everglades. You can take a boat tour, hike or bike on one of the park's many trails, or go on a guided wildlife viewing tour.
Here are some of the best places to see wildlife in Everglades National Park:
Shark Valley: This is a 15-mile loop road that offers excellent opportunities to see alligators, birds, and other wildlife.
Anhinga Trail: This is a short trail that winds through a mangrove swamp and is a great place to see wading birds, alligators, and turtles.
Flamingo Marina: This is a popular spot to see manatees and American crocodiles.
Eco Pond: This is a small pond located near the Flamingo Visitor Center and is a great place to see a variety of birds, including herons, egrets, and ducks.
3. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho:
Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features, but it also offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can spot grizzly bears, wolves, elk, bison, moose, and numerous bird species. The Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are popular areas for wildlife sightings, but other areas are also great for spotting wildlife:
Lamar Valley: This is one of the best places in the park to see bison, elk, wolves, and bears.
Hayden Valley: This valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and bears.
Mammoth Hot Springs: This area is known for its geothermal features, but it's also a great place to see wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, elk, and deer.
Old Faithful: This geyser is one of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone, but it's also a great place to see wildlife, such as bison, elk, and waterfowl.
4. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado:
Rocky Mountain National Park is a wildlife lover's paradise. With over 415 square miles of pristine wilderness, the park is home to a wide variety of animals, including bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bears, grizzly bears, deer, coyotes, marmots, pikas, and numerous birds.
The best time to go wildlife viewing in Rocky Mountain National Park is during the summer months, when the days are long and the animals are more active. Here are some of the best places to see wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park:
Moraine Park: This is a large meadow that is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, and deer.
Bear Lake: This area is known for its beautiful lakes and waterfalls, but it's also a great place to see wildlife, such as elk, bighorn sheep, and marmots.
Cub Lake: This lake is located in a secluded valley and is a great place to see moose and bighorn sheep.
Horseshoe Park: This park is home to a herd of elk and is a great place to see them in the early morning or late afternoon.
Wild Basin: This area is known for its wildflowers and waterfalls, but it's also a great place to see wildlife, such as black bears, deer, and coyotes.
5. Olympic National Park, Washington:
With its diverse ecosystems across 144,000 acres ranging from rugged coastlines to temperate rainforests, Olympic National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. Visitors can observe Roosevelt elk, black bears, mountain goats, mountain lions, sea otters, gray whales, and various bird species.
Here are some of the best places to see wildlife in Olympic National Park:
Hoh Rain Forest: This is a lush rainforest that is home to a variety of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, and deer.
Hurricane Ridge: This mountaintop offers stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and is a great place to see mountain goats, marmots, and bighorn sheep.
Rialto Beach: This beach is known for its tide pools, which are home to a variety of marine life, including sea otters, starfish, and crabs.
Mora and Ruby Beaches: These beaches are located on the Olympic Peninsula's coast and are great places to see gray whales during their migration season.
6. Custer State Park, South Dakota:
Custer National Park is a great place to go wildlife viewing with your family. Custer is known for its herds of free-roaming bison, which can often be seen during scenic drives. The park also offers opportunities to spot pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and deer.
Some of the best places to see wildlife in Custer National Park include:
The Wildlife Loop Road: This scenic road winds through the park and offers opportunities to see a variety of animals, including bison, elk, and bighorn sheep.
The Needles Highway: This scenic drive takes you through the Needles Canyon, and is a great place to see bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope.
The Sylvan Lake Trail: This easy trail leads to a beautiful lake, and is a great place to see elk, deer, and coyotes.
The Black Hills National Forest: This forest borders Custer National Park, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats.
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming:
Known for its stunning mountain scenery, Grand Teton National Park offers opportunities to spot wildlife such as moose, elk, bison, grizzly bears, and bald eagles. The park's wildlife-rich valleys and scenic drives provide excellent viewing opportunities.
Some of the best places to see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park include:
The Snake River: This river winds through the park and is a great place to see moose, bison, and waterfowl.
The Teton Range: The Teton Range is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, marmots, and coyotes.
Oxbow Bend: This oxbow bend in the Snake River is a great place to see waterfowl, such as egrets, herons, and pelicans.
Moose-Wilson Road: This road winds through the park and is a great place to see moose, elk, and bears.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina:
With over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, and 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife including black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and salamanders. Visitors can explore the park's hiking trails and scenic overlooks for wildlife encounters.
Some of the best places to see wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park include:
Cades Cove: This valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and white-tailed deer.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center: This visitor center has a wildlife viewing area where you can see black bears, elk, and other animals.
Newfound Gap Road: This road winds through the park and is a great place to see a variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and coyotes.
9. San Juan Islands, Washington:
The San Juan Islands are a group of islands in the Salish Sea, between the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. The islands are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including marine mammals, birds, and fish. Visitors can go on whale-watching tours to spot orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and bald eagles. The best time to go wildlife viewing in the San Juan Islands is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the animals are more active.
There are a few different ways to see wildlife in the San Juan Islands. You can take a boat tour, go kayaking or whale watching, or simply hike or bike around the islands and keep your eyes peeled.
10. Glacier National Park, Montana:
Glacier National Park boasts stunning alpine landscapes and a variety of wildlife species (150 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, and 13 species of fish). Some of the most popular animals to see in the park include:
Bighorn sheep: Bighorn sheep are a common sight in the park, especially in the alpine meadows. They are often seen grazing on grasses and wildflowers.
Grizzly bears: Grizzly bears are the largest land predators in the park. They are often seen in the park's meadows and forests, and are sometimes seen along the park's roads.
Black bears: Black bears are the most common bears in the park. They are often seen foraging for food in the park's forests and meadows.
Mountain goats: Mountain goats are sure-footed animals that are often seen on cliffs and rocky slopes. They are a popular sight in the park's alpine areas.
Mule deer: Mule deer are a common sight in the park, especially in the park's meadows and forests.
The best time to go wildlife viewing in Glacier National Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild. There are a few different ways to see wildlife in Glacier National Park. You can drive the park's roads, hike or bike on one of the park's many trails, or go on a guided wildlife viewing tour.
Some of the best places to see wildlife in Glacier National Park include:
Logan Pass: This pass is located in the heart of the park and is a great place to see a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears.
Going-to-the-Sun Road: This road winds through the park and is a great place to see a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and black bears.
Glacier View Point: This viewpoint offers stunning views of the park and is a great place to see bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears.
11. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina:
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a vast wetland in North Carolina's Outer Banks and is home to a thriving population of American alligators. The refuge is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, and visitors can see a variety of animals, including:
American alligators: These reptiles are the namesake of the refuge and can be seen basking in the sun or swimming in the lakes and rivers.
Black bears: These bears are common in the refuge and can be seen foraging for food in the forests and swamps.
White-tailed deer: These deer are the most common mammals in the refuge and can be seen in all areas of the refuge.
Red wolves: These wolves are endangered and are only found in a few places in the United States, including the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.
Tundra swans: These swans are large, white birds that migrate to the refuge in the winter.
Bald eagles: These eagles are common in the refuge and can be seen soaring overhead or perched in trees.
The best time to go wildlife viewing at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild. Some of the best places to see wildlife at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge include:
Murphy Point: This overlook offers stunning views of the refuge and is a great place to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, bears, and deer.
Buxton Woods Trail: This trail winds through a hardwood forest and is a great place to see white-tailed deer, red wolves, and a variety of birds.
Slough Pond Trail: This trail winds through a swamp and is a great place to see alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds.
12. Channel Islands National Park, California:
Located off the coast of Southern California, the Channel Islands are a haven for marine life. Visitors can take boat tours or kayak excursions to spot seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and a wide array of seabirds.
Channel Islands National Park is a group of five islands off the coast of Southern California that are home to a diverse array of wildlife. The park is a popular destination for family wildlife viewing, and visitors can see a variety of animals, including seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales, island foxes, and a wide array of seabirds.
The best time to go wildlife viewing at Channel Islands National Park is during the spring and fall. There are a few different ways to see wildlife at Channel Islands National Park. You can take a boat tour, go kayaking or whale watching, or simply hike or bike around the islands and keep your eyes peeled.
Some of the best places to see wildlife at Channel Islands National Park include:
Anacapa Island: This island is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, seals, and whales.
Santa Cruz Island: This island is the largest of the Channel Islands and is home to a variety of wildlife, including island foxes, California sea otters, and whales.
Santa Rosa Island: This island is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, seals, and seabirds.
Junior Ranger Program:
If you are looking for a way to build excitement for your family trip, The Junior Ranger Program could be just what you are looking for. The program is offered at all 423 national parks, and it includes a variety of activities that help children learn about the park's history, geology, plants, and animals.
To become a Junior Ranger, children must complete a series of activities, such as reading a ranger-led story, visiting a park museum, or participating in a ranger-led hike. Once they have completed the activities, they are sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.
The Junior Ranger Program is a great way for children to learn about national parks and their importance. It is also a fun and interactive way for children to explore the outdoors and learn about the natural world.
Closing Remarks:
Family wildlife viewing is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the amazing animals that share our planet. National parks are a wonderful place to do this, as they offer a variety of habitats and wildlife viewing opportunities. With a little planning and patience, you're sure to have a successful family wildlife viewing experience in a national park.
Here are some additional tips for family wildlife viewing in national parks:
Make sure your children are old enough to enjoy the experience. Some wildlife viewing activities, such as hiking or kayaking, can be physically demanding for young children.
Choose a park that is appropriate for your family's interests. Some parks are better suited for viewing certain types of wildlife. For example, if you're interested in seeing whales, you might want to visit a park along the coast.
Start early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is when the animals are most active.
Stay on the trails and boardwalks. This will help to protect the park's fragile ecosystem.
Bring binoculars or a camera. This will help you get a closer look at the animals.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You may be doing a lot of walking.
Bring plenty of water and snacks. You may be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Have fun! Wildlife viewing in national parks is a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime.
I hope this article has inspired you to plan a wildlife viewing adventure with your family. So get out there and explore the amazing wildlife that our national parks have to offer!
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