The chances of seeing wildlife at these special places are high. National parks protect a wide range of habitats and the species that rely on them, serving as both year-round homes and migratory paths. Seals and sea lions congregate at haul outs and rookeries and hundreds of species of birds frequent the parks along well-documented flyways.
Many parks provide information about the best places and times to see various species. Some offer wildlife-watching boat tours, but in most coastal parks you also can see wildlife right from the shore - it just requires patience! Spending time focused on the sights and sounds of the natural world around you can be its own reward. And if you do see a seal poke its nose up through the waves, a blue heron spear a fish, or a whale breach, you'll usually find it was worth the wait.
Last updated: May 13, 2016