The Best U.S. National Parks for Animal Viewing

1. Yellowstone

Coordinates: 44°35′47″N 110°32′50″W / 44.59639°N 110.54722°W

Visiting Yellowstone National Park has to be at the top of your bucket list. There is nothing on earth quite like it. It was the first National Park in the United States. The park is approximately 3,500 square miles. It is mainly in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extends into Idaho and Montana. It sits on top of a dormant volcano and is well known for its geothermal features, with the Old Faithful geyser being the most famous and featuring more hot springs than any other place on Earth. 

At Yellowstone, there is something for everyone, including children and grandparents. Experience a winter wonderland at Yellowstone by going skiing and snowshoeing, camping in the backcountry, or riding a snowcoach or snowmobile. During the summer, you can make your experience memorable by witnessing the fumaroles, mudpots, hot springs, and geysers up close. Enjoy fishing, a hiking trail, taking photographs, riding a horse, riding a bicycle, going on a picnic, enjoying the wildlife, or planning a night at one of the 12 campsites. On top of that, you can take a tour and attend Indigenous cultural events. Participate in a ranger program, go exploring as a young scientist, or become a junior ranger.

There are 67 species of mammals, including seven native hoofed species: elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, bison, and bighorn sheep. Furthermore, the park is home to black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, the Canada Lynx, six species of reptiles, 16 species of fish, 300 species of birds, and five species of amphibians. Go on and enjoy a memorable family vacation at Yellowstone National Park. Be sure to book in advance; spots sell out fast.

2. Congaree, South Carolina

100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061

Congaree National Park is 26,692.6 acres. Amenities offered include bird watching, hiking, primitive campsites, kayaking, and canoeing. Before it became Congaree National Park, it was home to mountain lions, red wolves, and black bears. However, these species are no longer found in the park. Within the park today, you can look forward to seeing 1,200 taxa, 33 amphibians, 71 fish, 37 mammals, 45 reptiles, 191 birds, three aquatic plants, 512 wetland plants, and 328 terrestrial plants. Congaree National Park is also home to wild pigs, deer, bobcats, opossums, foxes, and river otters.

Additionally, the park also supports endangered plants and animals, including:

• Bald Eagle: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as of 2020, there are 316,700 individual bald eagles, including 71,400 nesting pairs, in the lower 48 states. Sadly, over the years, humans have destroyed their habitat, and contaminated their food source by using a toxic insecticide called dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and shooting them illegally.
• Rafinesque Big-eared Bat: Worldwide, there are over 1,400 bat species, and the Rafinesque-eared bat is going extinct. It has a club nose, which is similar to a pug dog, and ears that resemble those of a rabbit. Furthermore, this remarkable bat species only weighs 9.2 grams as an adult. It is a slow-moving bat and primarily lives off moths and slow-moving insects. Isn’t nature wonderful?

Furthermore, the park also supports the endangered Southeastern Myotis, Swallow-tailed Kite, Wood Stork, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Spotted Turtle.

3. Biscayne, Florida

9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033

Are you and the family fond of sea life? If so, then you must visit Biscayne National Park in Florida. The park is made up of 172,971 acres, which also includes Elliot Key, which is the largest island in the park. The biggest coral reef in the world is located in the park’s offshore area. Furthermore, the park protects four separate ecosystems: the offshore Florida reef, the shoreline mangrove swamp, the coral limestone keys, and the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay. Here you can see over 10,000 years of human history, from pineapple farmers, presidents, and primeval tribes to shipwrecks.

Biscayne National Park is the perfect diving destination, and many enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, camping, lobstering, and fishing. Furthermore, you can take pleasure in viewing neo-tropical water birds such as the American Flamingo, Red-Throated Loon, Horned Grebe, Buffel Head, Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and more. Other sea life includes over 600 native fish. In addition, you will also see many endangered species, such as the Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly, sea turtles, American crocodiles, and more.

4. Indiana Dunes National Park

1100 North Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304

The Indiana Dunes National Park covers 15,349 acres and runs for approximately 20 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The park is well known for its beautiful bird and plant life. Furthermore, it has lush wetlands, quiet woodlands, shifting sand dunes, and sunny prairies. Explore popular historic places such as Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, and the Goodfellow Youth Camp. Despite only having 15,000 acres, the park is fourth in biological diversity. It features over 350 bird species, of which 113 nest there regularly. Furthermore, it has 18 species of amphibians, 71 fish species, 60 species of dragonflies, 60 species of butterflies, 23 species of reptiles, and 46 species of mammals.

Common mammals include the eastern fox squirrel, the white-tailed deer, and the eastern cottontail. Locally extinct mammals include the gray wolf, the porcupine, the red wolf, the cougar, the bobcat, the elk, and the Canada lynx. However, recent records show that the bobcat and North American river otter are beginning to return.

5. Acadia National Park, Maine

Bar Harbor, ME 04609

As of 2017, Acadia National Park encompasses 49,075 acres. The park features the tallest mountain (Cadillac Mountain) on the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. Its coastlines, mountains, streams, meadows, and wetlands contribute to a wide variety of animals and plants. When visiting Acadia National Park, the peak of Cadillac’s mountain is the first place to stop, where you can witness the beautiful sunrise from October 7th through March 6th.

As of 2022, there have been over 3,970,260 recreational visitors. This is proof that it is one of the most popular National Parks to visit in the United States. You can explore the park in various ways by choosing from more than 150 hiking trails, 33 miles of scenic motor roads, 60 miles of coastline, and 45 miles of carriage roads. Furthermore, you can enjoy bicycle riding, picnicking, climbing, horseback riding, camping, and shopping. Enjoy a day out in the sun while fishing, swimming, boating, and tide pooling.

Once again, for all the animal aficionados out there, one of the best U.S. National Parks for animal viewing is Acadia. It is a must-see. The park is inhabited by seven reptilian species. These include the painted turtle and common snapping turtle, as well as five species of snakes: the ring-necked, milk, redbelly, smooth green, and eastern garter. Copious fish include pumpkinseed, American eel, banded killifish, and the golden shiner. The park also features 11 amphibian species, four salamander species, and 215 bird species.

In addition, you can look forward to the park’s 37 mammalian species, some of which include the following:

• Carnivores: Raccoon, black bear, fisher, red, black, silver foxes, American mink, short and long-tailed weasels, and the cute North American river otter.
• Rodents: Groundhog, beaver, porcupine, southern red-backed vole, five different mouse species, and three squirrel species.
• Ungulates: White-tailed deer and moose.
• Shrews and Moles: There are five discovered shrew species and one identified mole.
• Hare: The snowshoe hare.
• Bats: Six bat species.

Finally, from the surrounding waters, either by boat or kayak, you can appreciate many marine species, including whales and seals. Arcadia National Park is definitely one of the best U.S. National Parks for animal viewing and should be on your itinerary list.