Wildlife Safety

One of the many highlights of visiting a National Park is the opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife. Shenandoah is certainly no exception: visitors may see white-tailed deer, birds, snakes, and black bears, among other animals. In most cases, these wildlife encounters are events that visitors enjoy and that have no impacts on the animal. There are some instances, however, when the encounter poses risk to both the visitor and the animal. Being informed about the animals you might encounter can help protect Shenandoah's wildlife and greatly increase your chance of a safe and enjoyable experience.