Last updated: April 15, 2025
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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.
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
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!
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7 Ways to Safely Watch WildlifeFavorites
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AlaskaKatmai National Park & PreservePopularized 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 MexicoCarlsbad Caverns National ParkFrom April to mid-October, Brazilian free-tail bats emerge from the cave at sunset in a spectacular show.
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FloridaEverglades National ParkExperience the unique habitat of the Everglades with numerous rare and endangered species like manatees, crocodiles, and Florida panthers.
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WyomingGrand Teton National Park61 species of mammals live in the Tetons, along with an abundance of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Tennesse & North CarolinaGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkSynchronous 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 DakotaBadlands National ParkMore 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 & VirginiaAssateague Island National SeashoreAssateague'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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TexasPadre Island National SeashoreAll 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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WashingtonNorth Cascades National ParkConsidered the second most biodiverse park, North Cascades is home to abundant and rare wildlife!
Closer to Home - Webcams
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Bear CamsJuly 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 CamsDive 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 CamsWhat's cuter than baby animals? Visit Channel Islands National Park’s website for a birds-eye view of a bald eagle nest.
Tags
- assateague island national seashore
- badlands national park
- carlsbad caverns national park
- channel islands national park
- everglades national park
- grand teton national park
- great smoky mountains national park
- katmai national park & preserve
- north cascades national park
- padre island national seashore
- wildlife watching 101
- wildlife watching
- explore nature
- wildlife