The national parks of the United States and Canada offer unparalleled opportunities to witness North America’s iconic wildlife in their natural, protected habitats. These parks function as vital sanctuaries, providing safe havens for everything from massive herds of Bison and Elk to elusive apex predators like Grizzly Bears and Gray Wolves. The key to a successful wildlife encounter lies in knowing where and when to look, focusing on the ecosystems that support the highest biodiversity. This guide highlights the most thrilling and memorable wildlife viewing experiences available, from the vast plains of the American West to the rich marine parks of the Canadian coasts.
The American Serengeti: Yellowstone and Grand Teton
The adjacent ecosystems of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming and Montana offer what is often called the “American Serengeti,” hosting the most complete assemblage of large mammals in the Lower 48 states.
Yellowstone National Park is famed for its successful reintroduction of the Gray Wolf and its massive, free-roaming herds of Bison and Elk. The Lamar Valley is internationally renowned as a prime viewing area, especially in the late fall and winter for wolf sightings. Just to the south, Grand Teton National Park is a treasure for viewing Moose, which are often spotted wading in the wetlands around the iconic Oxbow Bend. Both parks also offer regular sightings of Grizzly Bears and Black Bears, particularly during the spring and early summer when they emerge from hibernation to forage.
Canadian Rockies: Bears, Elk, and High-Altitude Life
Canada’s Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks offer spectacular wildlife viewing set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Banff National Park is celebrated for its abundant wildlife, including frequent sightings of Elk in the Bow Valley Parkway area, especially during the summer. The parks in the Canadian Rockies are also crucial habitats for both Grizzly Bears and Black Bears. Visitors are often advised to look for bears on the drive out to Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park or around Red Rock Canyon in Waterton Lakes National Park. These mountain parks also provide excellent opportunities to spot high-altitude species, such as Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep, often seen grazing on steep, rocky slopes.
Marine Mammals: The Whale-Watching Capital
For those seeking marine encounters, the waters where the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers meet in Quebec, Canada, provide one of the world’s best whale-watching experiences.
The rich, nutrient-filled feeding grounds of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park attract a remarkable variety of marine life. Visitors can spot up to ten species of whale, including the rare Blue Whale and Humpback Whale, as well as various species of seals and porpoises. Kayak trips and boat cruises along the Saguenay Fjord offer the ideal way to view these majestic animals up close. The best viewing season typically runs through the summer and early fall, when the feeding grounds are at their most active.
Southern Swamps and Prairie Giants
Wildlife viewing opportunities extend far beyond the mountains, offering unique encounters in the American South and the Canadian prairies.
Everglades National Park in Florida, often called the “river of grass,” is the best place to see American Alligators in their natural environment, alongside manatees and the very rare American crocodile and Florida panther. Meanwhile, in the Canadian prairies, Grasslands National Park offers the chance to see massive herds of Bison that once roamed freely across the continent. Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba also maintains a large, enclosed herd of Plains Bison, allowing visitors a safe and close view of these magnificent prairie giants.
