The U.S. National Park Service manages 63 national parks. They receive nearly 332 million recreation visits annually. If you’ve never been to one, now is the perfect time to plan a trip. Beautiful scenery and outdoors opportunities abound–and of course, you’ll hope for some great wildlife viewing. Here, we take help you discover which national parks provide the best settings for the best wildlife viewing at National Parks during each season. Check out the top choices below.
(Photo by Iryna-Marienko on Unsplash.com)
Best Wildlife Viewing at National Parks in Spring
A recent AAA survey revealed that approximately 35% of U.S. residents believe spring is the best time to visit national parks. If you want to head to a national park this spring and enjoy the ideal wildlife watching experience, these options will make it possible.
Yellowstone National Park
You can’t go wrong with visiting Yellowstone National Park (pictured above) at any time of the year. However, spring is an incredible time for visiting to watch the wildlife. You won’t have to worry about bringing emergency tents to survive the cold falls and winters in Wyoming, Montana, and/or Idaho.
Elk and bison migrate from higher to lower elevations in Yellowstone throughout the spring to graze. You should spot many on the move when you visit at this time.
If you love to fish, Yellowstone’s carp fishing also heats up toward the end of spring. Don’t forget to pack your carp fishing supplies.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The spring is also a wonderful time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many animals in this park “spring” back to life following winter dormancies. They include:
- Black bears
- Elk
- Many bird species
Whether you stay in North Carolina or Tennessee, you will be in for a treat.
(Photo by Katie Polansky on Unsplash.com)
Big Bend National Park
If you wait until summer to visit Big Bend National Park in Texas, you will face ridiculously hot weather. Avoid this by visiting in the spring. The temperatures will be just right, and the wildlife will be buzzing.
This park is a great place to see reptiles. You can also witness wildflowers in full bloom.
Best Wildlife Viewing at National Parks in Summer
While Americans love visiting national parks in spring, studies have shown that parks get the most visitors during June, July, and August. Most schools are closed, and the longer daylight hours make summer a fantastic time for families to visit national parks.
If you have your sights set on getting to a national park in the summertime, these options will work best.
(Photo by Fengkai Liu on Unsplash.com)
Glacier National Park
From grizzly bears to mountain goats, Montana’s Glacier National Park (seen above) has a diverse range of wildlife. The best time to observe wildlife is during the summer months.
Glacier National Park is also a top choice for birdwatching in the summer. It has songbirds, swallows, and about 275 other species.
Denali National Park
Winters in Denali National Park are bitterly cold. Why not head to this national park in Alaska during the summer instead?
You will be treated to mild temperatures and the chance to watch grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and caribou.
Olympic National Park
Located in Washington, Olympic National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes to explore, including rainforests and coastlines. It also contains black bears and Roosevelt elk, making it a lovely place to observe wildlife.
Best Wildlife Viewing at National Parks in Fall
The AAA survey we referenced earlier found that fall comes in a close second to spring when it comes to the seasons Americans consider the “best” to visit national parks. If you would like to book a trip in the fall for wildlife watching, these options will deliver top-notch adventures.
Yellowstone National Park
Can’t make it to Yellowstone National Park in the spring? The fall isn’t a bad choice, either.
At the start of the season, you will hear the high-pitched bugle of bull elk and see grizzly bears preparing for winter by moving to lower elevations to eat. As it progresses, the bears will chase wolf packs to complete their winter preparations. At the same time, wolves will hunt elk, highlighting how vital all the park’s animals are to one another’s survival.
(Photo by Lauren Lopes on Unsplash.com)
Rocky Mountain National Park
Similar to Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park (shown above) in Colorado is very active for the majority of the fall. On any given day, you might spot the following animals:
- Elk
- Moose
- Bighorn sheep
Acadia National Park
While Acadia National Park in beautiful Maine is home to black bears, especially near the Schoodic Peninsula, it’s a better park for those looking to see marine life. Harbor seals and gray seals will be seemingly everywhere.
Acadia is also one of the national parks that permits visitors to bring pets, including cats. Just be sure to pack a folding cat carrier to keep yours safe.
Best Wildlife Viewing at National Parks in Winter
Winter is a challenging season for visiting national parks due to cold temperatures and snowy conditions in areas. Still, several offer excellent opportunities for nature lovers to seek unique experiences. If you don’t mind braving the cold, these options will work well for wildlife watchers.
(Photo by Emma Watson on Unsplash.com)
Redwood National Park
Steer clear of the usual crowds by waiting until winter to visit Redwood National Park (displayed above). You can still see a great deal of wildlife in Northern California in the wintertime, including Roosevelt elk, sea lions, and even the occasional mountain lion.
Grand Teton National Park
Portions of Grand Teton National Park are closed during the winter to protect its wildlife. However, with the proper planning, you can successfully book a trip to this park and see:
- Bison
- Mule deer
- Wolves
- Lynxes
- Moose
(Photo by Stefan Roks on Unsplash.com)
Everglades National Park
Many national parks will expose you to freezing-cold temperatures in the winter, but not Everglades National Park in Southern Florida. Even in the dead of winter, temperatures will stay into the mid-70s. You can spend time seeing everything from alligators to wading birds.
Plan a Trip to a U.S. National Park Today
Roughly 85% of Americans have visited at least one national park, but unfortunately, people don’t always visit at the correct times. Wildlife viewing at National Parks will be a trip highlight. If you’re planning a trip to one, choose the proper time of the year based on which wildlife you wish to see.
For More:
- On our site: Perfect U.S. travel destinations
- National Park Service, website
-All photos as credited. Cover photo by Dave Willhite on Unsplash.com.
