Visit Parks with Spectacular Wildlife Watching

Watching wildlife is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in a park. Seeing grizzly bears feast on jumping salmon. Being awed by synchronized fireflies as they light up the summer night. Catching a glimpse of a rarely seen animal as it slides into the bushes. National parks offer so many unique experiences to see wildlife in their natural habitats.

Safe wildlife watching is a memorable experience for the whole family!

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

But, with the privilege comes responsibility. Ultimately, staying safe and keeping wildlife wild is up to YOU! When you go out into a national park, it’s your responsibility to keep yourself, your family, and the wildlife safe. Always follow these 7 safe wildlife watching tips on all your adventures:

7 Safe Wildlife Watching Tips

1. Know before you go.
2. Give animals room.
3. Do not disturb.
4. Keep your eyes on the road.
5. Store you food and stash your trash.
6. See something, say something.
7. Be responsible.

Almost every park holds the opportunity to see some sort of animal—even if it is just a common squirrel or American robin (although we love seeing them too!). However, we do have some favorite spots to watch unique and abundant wildlife. If you want the ultimate wildlife watching adventure, keep some of these parks in mind!

Learn More!

7 Ways to Safely Watch Wildlife

Favorites

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  Alaska

  Katmai National Park & Preserve

  Popularized by Fat Bear week, the bears at Katmai don't disappoint! If you can't make it to the park, try the webcams anytime, anywhere!

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  New Mexico

  Carlsbad Caverns National Park

  From April to mid-October, Brazilian free-tail bats emerge from the cave at sunset in a spectacular show.

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  Florida

  Everglades National Park

  Experience the unique habitat of the Everglades with numerous rare and endangered species like manatees, crocodiles, and Florida panthers.

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  Wyoming

  Grand Teton National Park

  61 species of mammals live in the Tetons, along with an abundance of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and amphibians.

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  Tennesse & North Carolina

  Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  Synchronous fireflies aren't the only attraction you'll find in the Smokies—it's the most biodiverse park in the National Park System!

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  South Dakota

  Badlands National Park

  More than 1,000 bison roam the Badlands, but that's not all you might see. Prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, over 200 birds, and more!

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  Maryland & Virginia

  Assateague Island National Seashore

  Assateague's wild horses are well known. But it's also a great place to see birds since it's located along the Atlantic migratory flyway.

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  Texas

  Padre Island National Seashore

  All five sea turtle species found in the Gulf of America rely on Padre Island. See turtles, over 380 species of birds, and more!

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  Washington

  North Cascades National Park

  Considered the second most biodiverse park, North Cascades is home to abundant and rare wildlife!

Closer to Home - Webcams

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  Bear Cams

  July is the best time to watch bear fishing at Brookes Falls. As many as 25 bears have been seen at once on the Brooks Fall cam!

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  Ocean Cams

  Dive underwater and watch the soothing ocean move through the kelp forest. Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of marine wildlife!

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  Bald Eagle Cams

  What's cuter than baby animals? Visit Channel Islands National Park’s website for a birds-eye view of a bald eagle nest.