10 National Parks Boasting Exotic Wildlife

When we think about opportunities to view animals, we often think about an exotic safari in Africa or India. But, the U.S. National Park system boasts an abundance of animals for your viewing pleasure. So it seems a tinge wasteful to fly for a full day to see exotic creatures. Not sure where to begin your search? This list makes choosing your next national park destination much easier.

The Best National Parks for Animal Viewing

1. Denali National Park, Alaska

This park is well known for an array of stunning wildlife. With 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, and 10 species of fish, this true wilderness will satiate your hunger for seeing animals in their natural habitat. The park's most famous creatures include grizzly bear, caribou, Dall's sheep, moose, wolves, and wolverines. If you're more of a bird watcher, you might spy gyrfalcons, ptarmigan, or boreal chickadees.

2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Many tourists head to Yellowstone simply to view the diverse species native to this famous Wyoming park. And with good reason. The park is home to bison, grizzly bear, wolves, big horn sheep, elk, pronghorn antelope, coyote, and black bear. You can even find cougars, though it is incredibly rare because only a few remain in the park. You can also see owls, Trumpeter swans, osprey, eagles, gray jays, Clark's nutcrackers, and mountain chickadees.

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3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Located in the northwestern portion of Wyoming, this landscape of spectacular mountains and majestic lakes is home to numerous fascinating creatures. See the fast disappearing pika as well as grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, gray wolves, red foxes, bison, bobcat, lynx, river otters, and minks. The bird population includes Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Great Egrets, Tundra Swan (Whistling Swan), Trumpeter Swan, Greater White-Fronted Geese, Snow Geese, and Bald Eagles, just to name a few.

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4. Zion National Park, Utah

Ample species are hidden in the canyon walls and sprawling cliffs of Zion National Park. From plateau lizards to canyon tree frogs, rattlesnakes, gray foxes, mountain lions, and porcupines, a trip to this desert park necessitates a pair of binoculars to take in all the excitement. You can even find endangered willow fly catchers, the Mexican spotted owl, falcons, California condors, and over 44 species of reptiles and 291 species of birds.

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5. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

This national park encompasses 300 grandiose caves hidden beneath the earth's surface. In and around the caves you'll find free-tailed bats, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, skunks, Chihuahuan Desert pocket mice, and desert cottontails. Among the 46 species of reptiles in the park are the gray-banded king snake (an endangered species in New Mexico), the Rio Grande cooter, and the mottled rock rattlesnake (both threatened species).

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6. Death Valley National Park, California

While most humans couldn't survive the crippling heat of Death Valley, over 51 species of native mammals, 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of amphibians, and five fishes thrive in this barren desert. You'll find chisel-toothed kangaroo rats, cactus mice, porcupines, coyotes, kit foxes, badgers, mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, horses, burro, and desert bighorn sheep. You'll also find desert tortoises, iguanas, geckos, and many species of lizards.

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7. Everglades National Park, Florida

This national park is one of the most famous wetland reserves in the world. It's designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. Visit this diverse eco-system to see Florida panthers, river otters, Everglades minks, pilot whales, dolphins, armadillos, manatees, alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, pythons, loggerhead turtles, and snapping turtles. Over 360 types of bird species have been recorded in the park, and the list continues to grow. The Everglades remain one of the best destinations for easily observing great concentrations of diverse species.

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8. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

This landscape is awe inspiring. In addition to the views, however, the park hosts an astonishing abundance of wildlife. The park is crawling with large mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, and bighorn sheep. You'll also find porcupine, pronghorns, raccoons, and river otters. Endangered species are even well represented. Look hard and you might see Razorback suckers, Relict Leopard Frogs, desert tortoises, or a big-eared bat.

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9. Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawaii

This Hawaiian sanctuary is just an example of the splendid beauty that is quickly diminishing as the Hawaiian islands become more and more developed. It's home to some fascinating indigenous species, including Hawaiian monk seals, humpback whales, dolphins, mongoose, wild boars, Polynesian rats, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, Black-Crowned Night Heron, and Yellow Fronted Canaries.

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10. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Known for Oligocene epoch fossil beds, which date back 37 to 28 million years, this park has hosted visitors from all over the world. In this exotic corner of South Dakota, visitors can enjoy seeing numerous prairie dogs, golden eagles, bison, ferrets, elk, mule deer, wild turkeys, and mountain lions. You'll also find swifts and swallows nested in the awe-inspiring water-carved cliffs.

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More on National Parks:
Go National Park Hopping--Astonishing Nature Right at your Doorstep
Explore Denali National Park
Are You a National Parks Wiz?