Our Favorite US National Parks : Wildlife Edition

Introduction:

National Parks are one of this country’s greatest treasures, all 63 of them! And while every single one offers its own, unique slice of beauty (some more breathtaking than others), many are so vastly different in terms of wildlife density that it’s hard to comprehend. For example, you can find just 6 reptile species in Yellowstone, but Texas’s Big Bend National Park has a total of 59 documented species. But that’s where it gets interesting, what Yellowstone lacks in reptiles and amphibians, it makes up with having the largest density of mammals in any US national park. These varying metrics tell us each National Park really has its own specialty, so when it comes down to the absolute best for wildlife, in general, you may find making a choice extremely difficult. Fortunately, we have been to several of the lower 48’s most prolific and will introduce you to our Top 3 National parks to encounter wildlife.

Can you guess our number 3?

#1: Yellowstone National Park

There truly is no better place, but not for the reason you think. It’s not just that there are abundant large mammals (bears, wolves, bison etc.) but Yellowstone has a natural ecosystem so perfect that it has allowed over 300 bird species and over 60 mammal species to thrive! The abundance of food, both plants and animals, creates opportunities for every species to get their share, keeping the food chain healthy and wildlife viewing world class. There are two main areas to explore for wildlife: Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. Lamar valley offers a greater variety (and quantity) of sightings and we have had particular luck in finding the rarely seen American Badgers, but don’t make a common mistake! This is a lesson for anyone visiting Yellowstone, and that is; DO NOT stay on the road. We have found every badger while hiking the Lamar River trail, and while it will demand more patience and dedication, in the end you will typically encounter more success by searching both on and off the main roads, while exploring on foot is critical to success. As a final tip, we strongly advise taking at least one trip here during the middle of winter. It’s cold, it’s windy, and the access is limited, but wildlife is condensed into smaller areas and generally more active than in summer, giving you up close views in a magical setting.

#2: Great Smoky Mountains

The most popular national park in the entire country (and from this photo you can see what awaits)! But here’s what most people don’t know: Great Smoky Mountains is also the most biodiverse national park in North America, with over 19,000 species of plants and animals documented within its boundaries! Furthermore, it also contains an average of two Black Bears per square mile and over 30 species of salamander. In fact, there are so many salamanders that live here it has earned the title “salamander capital of the world”. To give you an idea of how many of these slimy amphibians live here, their total combined biomass would outweigh all other vertebrates that live in the region. To find them, look near creeks, flip logs, bark and rocks and you may even find colorful and rare species such as the Red-cheeked Salamander (seen below) which is found almost entirely within that park.

To sum up this national park, well, it cannot quite be put into words. One must experience the trails themselves to know its true beauty and biodiversity. One last tip, if visiting during spring, hike a trail after fresh rain and you can literally find salamanders in the hundreds in a single night!

#3: Rocky Mountain National Park (September-October)

Most of the year this park can be a bit scarce on wildlife, but from mid-September to early October one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world occurs: The Elk Rut. Hearing their haunting bugles at dawn feels almost prehistoric, and it’s more than that. You may be lucky enough to witness sparring between bulls, harems being herded along the park road, and even mating. For photography alone, there may be no better time and place when it comes to this unforgettable display. We typically explore Moraine Park during early morning and evening. This area is where you’ll likely find the hottest action, but just remember you need a reservation to enter the road leading to the meadows. It may not be the first thing that comes to your mind, but trust us on this because the experience is one you will never forget. A tip that most don't know about, locate trails on the boundaries of Moraine Park for closer action, with less crowds!

Conclusion:

And there you have it! Of the many we’ve visited, it’s honestly hard to beat these, however there are several that come close or maybe even match up to their respective standards. But, the best one for you is whichever location that suites you (and/or your family’s needs) best. Don’t miss our upcoming blog post about our favorite US national parks, the landscape and scenery edition!