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Top 10 wildlife encounters in parks

Posted on May 26, 2025

Originally backed—at least in the U.S.—by hunting enthusiasts keen on protecting big game, national parks have deep roots in wildlife conservation. These days, wildlife tourists are more aware than ever of balancing their enjoyment of the parks they love with giving wild animals their space. Here are 10 parks across the U.S. and Canada where you can experience some of the best wildlife sightings.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

America’s answer to the Serengeti, Yellowstone is home to an impressive lineup of large mammals—from top predators like grizzly bears and wolves to massive herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope. The Lamar Valley is famous for some of the park’s best wildlife watching, particularly in winter when animals gather in the snow-covered valley.

Saguenay–St. Lawrence National Park, Quebec

Where the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers meet, nutrient-rich waters draw in a stunning variety of marine life, including 10 whale species, seals, sharks, porpoises, and over 300 bird species. The best way to see them? Kayaking or taking a scenic boat tour along the dramatic Saguenay Fjord.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Known for its alligators, Florida’s “river of grass” also shelters West Indian manatees, the elusive Florida panther (a rare mountain lion subspecies), four sea turtle species, and even the endangered American crocodile. Birdwatchers will love it too—the wetlands host more than 360 bird species.

Florida Keys, Florida

Home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, this underwater paradise thrives in Biscayne and Dry Tortugas national parks, as well as Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Snorkelers and divers can explore vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine life (just remember to admire from a safe distance). The Keys are also a prime spot for birding.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

This bird-lover’s haven on the Texas Gulf Coast has logged over 400 avian species. But birds aren’t the only residents—sea turtles, manatees, alligators, peccaries, coyotes, and bobcats all thrive across the refuge’s four distinct ecosystems.

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma

One of the key places that saved the American bison from extinction, this Oklahoma refuge blends shortgrass prairie and red-rock canyons, offering sightings of everything from massive bison and Rocky Mountain elk to feral longhorn cattle and black-tailed prairie dogs (which live in bustling “towns” throughout the park).

Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

Nestled along Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba, Wapusk is arguably the best place in the world to see and photograph wild polar bears. The best times are during their fall migration back to the sea ice and in midwinter when mothers emerge from dens with new cubs. Come summer, thousands of beluga whales gather just offshore.

Channel Islands National Park, California

Located along the migration path of humpbacks, orcas, and gray whales—and hosting up to 30,000 seals and sea lions at any given time—this Southern California archipelago is a marine mammal hotspot. It’s also rich in birdlife and rare land dwellers like the island fox, island spotted skunk, and island deer mouse.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Alaska’s massive park is a haven for classic northern wildlife. The “big five” land animals here are brown bears, caribou, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and moose, while humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, and porpoises fill the waters of Icy Bay and other Gulf of Alaska coastlines.

Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska

One of North America’s greatest wildlife spectacles unfolds here each summer: dozens of brown bears (grizzlies) feasting on salmon in the Brooks River. Beyond bears, the park shelters countless birds and 42 mammal species, including gray wolves, sea otters, and humpback whales.

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