The Best U.S. National Parks for Wildlife Spotting

A wild elk appears!

---

More than half of Americans—57%, to be exact—enjoy watching wildlife when partaking in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing. And where better to indulge both than at the stunning U.S. national parks? With National Park Week (April 19th to April 27th) just around the corner, we set out to uncover which national parks offer the best wildlife spotting experiences. 

We took a look at the data from eight major wildlife categories—mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, spiders & scorpions, and slugs & snails. Then, during the analysis, we factored in not just the number of species present and native to each park, but also which animals visitors are most eager to see.

Let’s find out what are the best national parks for unforgettable wildlife encounters!

Key Findings

• Grand Canyon National Park ranks as the best national park for wildlife spotting.
• Redwood National Park is the top choice for mammal spotting.
• Grand Canyon National Park also takes the lead for birdwatching.
• Big Bend National Park is the ultimate spot for reptile enthusiasts.
• National Park of American Samoa is the best for fish spotting.
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ranks first for insect diversity.

Top 5 Best National Parks for Wildlife Spotting

With over 33,148 wildlife species recorded in U.S. national parks, these five stand out as the best destinations for wildlife enthusiasts:

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is the grand winner for wildlife spotting in multiple categories. This wonder of the world spans across different elevations and climates, creating unique blends of several ecosystems that are home to a wide range of species. 

• Grand Canyon National Park ranks 1st in the birdwatching category with 447 bird species, including the striking California condor, peregrine falcon, and Red Crossbill. (If you’re into love stories, here’s one about two California condors fighting extinction)
• The park ranks 2nd in the mammals category, with 91 species, from American bison, desert bighorn sheep, the aforementioned hog-nosed skunks, to mountain lions. (Predators or just big cats? Here you can find out if mountain lions are dangerous)
• For reptile enthusiasts, Grand Canyon takes 2nd place again, with 58 species, including Gila monsters, Gopher snakes (longest snakes in Arizona) and short-horned lizards (mini-dragons?).
• Grand Canyon also ranks 2nd for spiders & scorpions, with 142 species lurking in the park’s vast desert terrain. Among them are Bark Scorpions (which glow white under black light), Tarantulas, and their arch-enemies, Tarantula Hawks.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its microhabitats, supporting an incredible range of species, particularly amphibians and invertebrates. The park's moist environment and abundance of streams make it a global hotspot for salamanders, while its deep forest floors provide a haven for slugs, snails, and countless arachnids. It's also one of the best places in the eastern U.S. to encounter black bears in the wild, making it a dream destination for wildlife watchers of all stripes. 

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranks 1st in the amphibian category, with 52 species, including wood frogs, black-chinned red salamanders, and the rare hellbender salamanders. Ribbit or leave it!
• The park wins 1st place for slugs & snails, with 189 species sliming the park. 
• Smokies are the 1st place to go to for spotting spiders & scorpios, with 969 species, including the newly discovered Joro spider—welcome to the GSMNP, lil’ fella!
• The park comes 3rd for mammal spotting, with 85 species, including raccoons, black bears, and pesky wild European hogs.

3. Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park boasts some of the highest biodiversity in the country for reptiles and birds due to its tri-continental location, connecting the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. The arid climate and open terrain make spotting animals relatively easy. The night skies—some of the darkest in the country—offer opportunities to encounter nightlife-inclined wildlife.

• Big Bend National Park ranks 1st in the reptile category, with 59 species slithering about, ranging from desert tortoises to Western diamondback rattlesnakes. (Planning on camping in BB? Learn the dos and don’ts for dealing with snakes in your campsite.)
• The park comes in 2nd for birds spotting, with 412 species tweeting around, including painted buntings and Mexican jays. (FY, Texas is the best place for birdwatching, according to data)
• Big Bend ranks 4th in the mammal category, with 80 species, including fuzzy javelinas and cute bobcats.

4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is equally impressive above ground. This unique park spans desert scrubland and limestone caves, offering a dual habitat for both surface and subterranean species. Of course, the park’s crown jewel is its thriving bat population. Thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats spiral out of the cave entrances in a mesmerizing display that's worth the visit alone.

• Carlsbad Caverns rank 4th in bird category, with 362 species, including the cave swallow, the great horn owl, and Ladder-backed woodpecker, the second-smallest North American woodpecker.
• Surprisingly, the caverns ranks 5th for reptiles, with 43 species, including Texas banded geckos, Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, and ornate box turtle. (Not to be submerged)
• Carlsbad Caverns come in at number 7 in mammal category, with 68 species, including Chihuahuan Desert pocket mouse, Rocky Mountain Elk, and the primadonna Brazilian free-tailed bats.

5. Redwood National Park

The ancient trees aren't the only reason to visit Redwood National Park. The park's misty forests, coastal streams, and open prairies provide the perfect backdrop for spotting large mammals like Roosevelt elk, as well as a variety of bird and fish species. Its coastal proximity supports marine-influenced ecosystems that offer surprising biodiversity, especially for fish and amphibians. A must-visit for mammal lovers.

• The crown winner, Redwood National Park ranks 1st for mammals: 85 species, including Virginia opossums, river otters, and the heavyweight champion, the Roosevelt elk.
• The park ranks 7th for amphibians, with 19 species, including pond turtles, Foothill yellow-legged frogs, and the Sierran tree frog. 
• Redwood National park also ranks 7th in fish category, with 112 species, including salmon, trout, and tidewater goby. 
• For bird spotting, the park ranks 9th, with 288 species, including Marbled Murrelet, American Dipper, and Belted Kingfisher. 

Best National Parks to Spot Each Wildlife Category

Mammals

Redwood National Park is a sanctuary for large land mammals, boasting 85 species including black bears, mountain lions, and the iconic Roosevelt elk. These massive creatures roam freely among the towering trees, making for dramatic and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Humans excluded! 

Birds

If you want to make a calendar for birdwatchers, go to Grand Canyon National Park and bring a camera. It has 447 documented species, from the endangered California condor to migratory songbirds flapping through the canyons. The sheer diversity of avian life tops the category, landing in at number one spot. 

Reptiles

Big Bend National Park leads the nation in reptile biodiversity among national parks, with 59 species ranging from harmless whiptail lizards to venomous Western diamondback rattlesnakes. The park's desert climate and varied terrain create ideal conditions for these sun-loving cold-blooded creatures. Now think: reptiles with sunglasses. 

Amphibians

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with 52 amphibian species, is especially famous for its salamanders, earning it the nickname "Salamander Capital of the World." The park's constant humidity and dense vegetation foster an ideal environment for these moisture-dependent species.

Slugs & Snails

The Smokies are also a haven for mollusks, home to 189 different species of slugs and snails. These slow-moving goo-makers thrive in the damp, shaded understory of the park’s forests.

Spiders & Scorpions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park tops the list with an incredible 969 species of spiders and scorpions. From orb-weavers to elusive cave dwellers, this park supports more arachnid species than any other in the system.

Insects

Here’s what the buzz is about: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park harbors 1,264 known insect species and many of them endemic to the islands. Its volcanic terrain shelters some of the world’s coolest arthropods, like Kamehameha butterflies and carnivorous caterpillars.

Fish

The coral reefs surrounding the National Park of American Samoa are home to more than 600 species of fish. These Bikini Bottom waters host everything from brightly colored parrotfish to reef sharks, making it an underwater wonderland for snorkelers and divers. You might find The Krabby Patty Secret Formula in the sand.

How to Plan for Wildlife Spotting

Wildlife doesn’t work on a schedule, and the best sightings often come to those who are still, quiet, and willing to wait. Here are a few tips to get you started: 

Start with research

Different parks are known for different types of wildlife. Want to see desert bighorn sheep or tarantulas? Head to the Grand Canyon or Joshua Tree. Hoping for alligators and wading birds? Everglades is your spot. Many parks have official wildlife checklists online, noting what species live there and when they’re most active.

Here are some examples:

• Carlsbad Caverns Mammal Checklist
• Carlsbad Caverns Bird Checklist
• Redwood National Park Fish Checklist

For mammals and birds, spring and fall are usually the best times, with cooler temperatures and migration in full swing. Reptiles and spiders love the heat, so summer evenings can offer excellent chances—just be cautious and stay alert.

Pack smart

Binoculars are essential for birdwatching and for spotting mammals from a safe distance. A flashlight or UV light can help you find nocturnal critters like Bark Scorpions. A zoom lens is great for photography, especially for shy reptiles or nesting birds. Don’t forget field guides or wildlife ID apps—they’ll help you tell the difference between a harmless kingsnake and a rattlesnake, or a hawk versus a falcon. 

Dress for the wild 

Stick to muted colors like greens, browns, and grays to avoid startling animals. Wear long sleeves and pants, especially if you’ll be out at night when spiders, scorpions, and snakes are more active. Closed-toe shoes are a must for desert hikes or rocky terrain. Look for lightweight, breathable hiking pants with reinforced knees and plenty of pockets for field guides, snacks, or a quick-draw camera. Layer your clothing—mornings and evenings can be chilly even in the desert. 

Be safe and respectful

Stay on trails and never approach or feed wildlife, no matter how tempting it is to get that perfect photo. Mammals like bears or mountain lions should be admired from a distance, and venomous species like Gila monsters or scorpions should never be handled. Some parks offer ranger-led night hikes or wildlife programs—these are excellent (and safe) ways to learn and observe.

Patience pays off

Some animals, like foxes or owls, are elusive and require you to slow down, stay quiet, and simply watch. Scan the trees, listen for rustling, and look for movement in shaded areas or near water sources. Nighttime is ideal for spotting spiders and scorpions, while early morning and dusk are prime for birds and larger mammals. And, hey—even if you don’t see what you hoped for, every outing builds your skills.

Stay Safe While Spotting Wildlife!

You want to get close—but not too close. Wild animals are called that for a reason. Safety in the field is about respecting nature while avoiding the rookie mistakes that get people injured (or just really embarrassed). Stick to the trails unless you know what you're doing, carry a good set of binoculars or a zoom lens to bridge the distance, and remember: no selfie is worth getting chased by a bison.

• Keep a safe distance from all animals.
• Avoid feeding wildlife—it disrupts their natural behavior.
• Stick to marked trails to minimize environmental impact.
• Bring binoculars or a zoom lens for better viewing without getting too close.

Also, check out these 7 official NPS tips to stay safe in wildlife!

Methodology

We began by compiling a list of all U.S. National Parks. For each park, we gathered data on the number of currently present and native species across eight wildlife categories:

• Mammals
• Birds
• Reptiles
• Amphibians
• Slugs & Snails
• Spiders & Scorpions
• Insects
• Fish

The data was sourced from the Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA) Portal of the National Park Service (NPS) and normalized before being weighted. 

Note: Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are treated as one park, as their data was combined on the NPS website. Additionally, Gateway Arch National Park was excluded due to unavailable data.

Weighting Wildlife Categories:

Each wildlife type was assigned a weight out of 100 based on its significance to park visitors and ecological interest:

• Mammals (25) – Highly sought after, including bears, wolves, and deer.
• Birds (25) – Birdwatching is a popular activity in national parks.
• Reptiles (12)– Interesting to many visitors, though not the primary focus.
• Fish (10) – Important for fishing and underwater viewing.
• Amphibians (8) – Ecologically significant but less visible.
• Insects (8) – Often overlooked but can include butterflies and other fascinating species.
• Spiders & Scorpions (7) – Less commonly sought after but still of interest.
• Slugs & Snails (5) – Least likely to be a primary attraction.

Scoring System:

Within each category, we weighted species counts out of 100 as follows:

• Currently Present (60) – More emphasis on what visitors can actually see.
• Native (40) – Important for ecological integrity but slightly less relevant for wildlife spotting.

Finally, we determined each national park’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the parks.

The data was collected in March 2024 and can be checked in the table below:

	Rankings By Category									Mammals		Birds		Reptiles		Amphinians		Slugs/Snails		Spiders/Scorpions		Insects		Fish		Standardisez Data By Category
National Parks	Overall Rank	Mammals_Rank	Birds_Rank	Reptiles_Rank	Amphinians_Rank	Slugs/Snails_Rank	Spiders/Scorpions_Rank	Insects_Rank	Fish_Rank	Currently Present Mammals	Native Mammals	Currently Present Birds	Native Birds	Currently Present Reptiles	Native Reptiles	Currently Present Amphinians	Native Amphinians	Currently Present Slugs/Snails	Native Slugs/Snails	Currently Present Spiders/Scorpions	Native Spiders/Scorpions	Currently Present Insects	Native Insects	Currently Present Fish	Native Fish	Mammals	Birds	Reptiles	Amphinians	Slugs/Snails	Spiders/Scorpions	Insects	Fish	Final Score
Grand Canyon National Park	1	2	1	2	17	19	2	15	30	91	96	447	444	58	57	9	14	2	2	142	126	121	116	24	9	0.9547169811	1	0.957572444	0.2115384615	0.01171833387	0.4879256966	0.08826034379	0.028400978	0.6651526562390550
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	2	3	22	8	1	1	1	4	11	85	81	229	244	42	42	52	52	189	149	969	3	1047	102	83	90	0.8557602664	0.489838305	0.698086386	1	1	0.6095238095	0.4093907548	0.12700978	0.6382889142043140
Big Bend National Park	3	4	2	1	17	25	22	28	19	80	83	412	413	59	58	11	11	1	0	0	0	60	0	41	41	0.8280133185	0.9191455255	0.9741935484	0.2115384615	0.003174603175	0	0.02116402116	0.06104889976	0.5785727555678660
Carlsbad Caverns National Park	4	7	4	5	20	27	22	41	49	68	78	362	361	43	62	8	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	2	0.7244395117	0.7963270142	0.8372881356	0.1923076923	0	0	0	0.00597799511	0.4966486226347360
Redwood National Park	5	1	9	17	7	27	22	41	7	85	108	288	273	23	31	19	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	112	188	0.9576470588	0.6040911625	0.4338983051	0.3884615385	0	0	0	0.2039315403	0.4939724290600450
Guadalupe Mountains National Park	6	10	16	7	22	4	22	19	52	69	74	240	271	43	56	9	10	47	53	0	0	80	79	3	0	0.7164039956	0.5316071926	0.7985784582	0.1807692308	0.2914882284	0	0.05925995225	0.003	0.4419089580928150
Everglades National Park	7	53	6	3	10	27	22	41	3	36	27	358	292	57	52	17	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	297	314	0.3061043285	0.7250418177	0.9151448879	0.3038461538	0	0	0	0.4505452323	0.4369661386348030
Death Valley National Park	8	30	3	10	38	27	22	36	42	48	56	386	405	35	37	5	6	0	0	0	0	3	0	8	5	0.5002441731	0.873327293	0.5946418808	0.1038461538	0	0	0.001058201058	0.01044498778	0.4241867394028220
Yellowstone National Park	9	16	8	42	40	7	8	2	34	66	64	289	298	6	7	5	5	47	0	40	0	1701	473	16	13	0.6574916759	0.6292584332	0.1061782395	0.09615384615	0.1492063492	0.02476780186	0.7858546169	0.02235696822	0.4164193534795470
Saguaro National Park	10	12	29	4	24	27	22	41	56	69	72	215	228	51	55	8	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.7088568257	0.4540841929	0.8734827775	0.1538461538	0	0	0	0	0.4078608802715860
Yosemite National Park	11	5	14	21	14	27	22	41	40	80	79	269	245	21	22	12	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	3	0.8129189789	0.5496097017	0.3554948059	0.2384615385	0	0	0	0.01146699267	0.4035151692052370
Joshua Tree National Park	12	26	11	6	45	27	22	41	56	58	58	251	295	49	52	2	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.5783795782	0.5705324784	0.8337889557	0.06153846154	0	0	0	0	0.3922057657688460
Indiana Dunes National Park	13	38	7	19	8	27	15	9	12	42	56	301	308	23	23	17	21	0	0	1	1	249	247	71	59	0.457891232	0.656384165	0.3822854019	0.3576923077	0	0.003793798221	0.184883733	0.09985085575	0.3780998321811150
Zion National Park	14	7	19	15	26	27	22	41	56	68	78	210	298	29	29	7	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.7244395117	0.5130819626	0.4820120284	0.1346153846	0	0	0	0	0.3779910427550790
Channel Islands National Park	15	43	5	33	46	6	15	35	4	42	42	354	350	10	11	3	3	33	33	1	1	2	2	256	259	0.4050610433	0.7741357681	0.1726626572	0.05769230769	0.1933525088	0.003793798221	0.001491321989	0.3826503667	0.3684516400611340
North Cascades National Park	16	11	26	38	13	27	5	5	24	67	76	225	226	8	9	13	12	0	0	32	32	549	313	29	29	0.7098335183	0.4668943407	0.1394204483	0.2423076923	0	0.1214015431	0.3166370412	0.0431809291	0.3684441981516880
Olympic National Park	17	15	10	45	12	27	22	18	10	68	62	249	303	5	6	13	13	0	0	0	0	88	78	85	90	0.6640621532	0.5751742403	0.08955713505	0.25	0	0	0.06168889443	0.12900978	0.3583920441241610
Mammoth Cave National Park	18	33	46	11	4	18	18	8	8	50	50	160	206	32	41	27	31	5	0	3	0	477	57	87	117	0.4917203108	0.3523487594	0.5899398578	0.55	0.01587301587	0.001857585139	0.1906508248	0.1442127139	0.3564070696190820
Kings Canyon National Park & Sequoia National Park	19	6	36	20	15	27	22	41	36	71	77	212	180	21	24	12	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	11	0.7418423973	0.4041747979	0.3683980317	0.2307692308	0	0	0	0.01637897311	0.3508114983817920
Shenandoah National Park	20	28	38	16	5	27	10	14	20	55	55	196	196	24	30	25	25	0	0	4	4	167	84	41	31	0.5458823529	0.3958112629	0.4376161837	0.4807692308	0	0.01517519288	0.09191241948	0.05615892421	0.3404300339461660
Rocky Mountain National Park	21	17	13	52	43	15	7	6	38	61	69	259	269	1	3	4	5	10	2	22	21	587	107	10	8	0.6410654828	0.5576526345	0.02952433024	0.08461538462	0.03711515926	0.08028895769	0.2490978957	0.01391198044	0.3387866944284010
Congaree National Park	22	52	40	9	2	12	11	10	14	35	36	191	193	33	45	32	38	20	0	21	0	474	0	60	62	0.3330077691	0.3856147198	0.625915801	0.6615384615	0.06349206349	0.01300309598	0.1671957672	0.09031784841	0.3341808613925230
Mesa Verde National Park	23	13	30	27	42	27	22	41	56	65	79	210	230	16	19	3	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.707036626	0.4486269863	0.2852925096	0.08846153846	0	0	0	0	0.3302279273027670
Cuyahoga Valley National Park	24	42	20	24	6	13	12	11	13	41	46	241	246	19	20	20	24	11	10	2	2	211	201	65	70	0.4130965594	0.5093810984	0.322252597	0.4153846154	0.0617662725	0.007587596442	0.1534051968	0.09922982885	0.3283353393257380
Capitol Reef National Park	25	18	21	25	38	27	22	41	39	58	71	234	242	17	21	5	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	7	0.627436182	0.4952955116	0.3083652269	0.1038461538	0	0	0	0.01342298289	0.3273367412215770
New River Gorge National Park	26	32	41	22	3	16	9	17	18	51	49	192	190	20	23	29	34	9	0	7	6	222	0	48	30	0.4950055494	0.3842417062	0.3517769273	0.5961538462	0.02857142857	0.02338198437	0.07830687831	0.06266992665	0.3253142061181510
Glacier National Park	27	20	15	51	32	9	22	16	28	60	65	242	272	3	4	6	6	20	15	0	0	191	40	26	21	0.6189123196	0.5354962364	0.05631492619	0.1153846154	0.1037605199	0	0.08308922638	0.03626894866	0.3200527583560520
Crater Lake National Park	28	7	43	40	19	27	15	13	48	68	78	148	247	3	13	8	15	0	0	1	1	124	125	6	2	0.7244395117	0.3735642598	0.1143794423	0.2076923077	0	0.003793798221	0.09285489063	0.00697799511	0.3132336172005270
Wind Cave National Park	29	23	25	32	32	8	22	24	42	55	66	222	232	11	12	6	6	25	17	0	0	100	0	8	5	0.5873917869	0.4681697798	0.1892837616	0.1153846154	0.1250026633	0	0.03527336861	0.01044498778	0.3059517137198220
Canyonlands National Park	30	25	34	23	32	27	22	41	27	49	75	204	218	19	22	6	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	33	9	0.5790011099	0.4284290493	0.3351558229	0.1153846154	0	0	0	0.037400978	0.3050471055784540
Lassen Volcanic National Park	31	14	39	30	37	22	22	34	46	60	77	169	236	8	20	6	5	0	3	0	0	0	7	9	0	0.6641953385	0.3940200725	0.2103881903	0.1076923077	0.008053691275	0	0.002750491159	0.009	0.2999385440532050
Great Basin National Park	32	22	31	29	50	27	22	31	47	55	67	206	236	13	18	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	12	5	7	0.5911653718	0.4484318372	0.2483324221	0.03461538462	0	0	0.004715127701	0.008422982885	0.2936879321742160
Biscayne National Park	33	56	28	12	29	27	22	30	2	24	13	229	207	32	33	8	5	0	0	0	0	11	8	549	110	0.1685682575	0.4547672149	0.5383269546	0.1307692308	0	0	0.007023489014	0.6027897311	0.2917354933508510
Glacier Bay National Park	34	37	18	53	48	10	18	29	5	42	57	243	251	0	1	1	4	25	0	3	0	34	0	103	328	0.4616648169	0.5170616114	0.006451612903	0.04230769231	0.07936507937	0.001857585139	0.01199294533	0.263391198	0.2802372563526490
Grand Teton National Park	35	24	35	47	40	11	20	20	32	56	63	180	243	4	5	5	5	24	0	1	0	152	0	22	12	0.5831298557	0.4168316142	0.07293603062	0.09615384615	0.07619047619	0.0006191950464	0.05361552028	0.02786797066	0.2773639049873410
Pinnacles National Park	36	31	50	18	25	14	13	12	53	49	54	159	166	21	29	7	9	11	1	10	0	323	68	2	1	0.4997558269	0.3129634792	0.4006560962	0.15	0.03760519868	0.006191950464	0.1406520376	0.002488997555	0.2770733172975820
Bryce Canyon National Park	37	19	44	35	44	27	22	41	55	56	74	165	213	8	13	3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.6246392897	0.3663367717	0.1652268999	0.06538461538	0	0	0	0.001	0.2729020125626150
Voyageurs National Park	38	36	24	47	21	27	22	27	15	41	61	223	231	4	5	10	9	0	0	0	0	44	35	54	54	0.469700333	0.4686925007	0.07293603062	0.1846153846	0	0	0.02927273798	0.08040586797	0.2685021686941290
Petrified Forest National Park	39	44	23	26	26	27	22	41	56	32	60	226	242	16	21	7	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.4023973363	0.4835308057	0.2981957354	0.1346153846	0	0	0	0	0.2680347545092260
Mount Rainier National Park	40	21	52	46	11	27	22	26	35	58	66	148	179	5	5	14	14	0	0	0	0	46	45	15	8	0.6085682575	0.3091092835	0.08310552214	0.2692307692	0	0	0.03390747844	0.01891198044	0.2655343057686780
Great Sand Dunes National Park	41	29	33	43	32	27	22	38	51	48	62	197	236	5	8	6	6	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	1	0.5228856826	0.4351965431	0.1024603609	0.1153846154	0	0	0.0007456609945	0.004488997555	0.2615551215799630
Arches National Park	42	35	42	28	36	27	22	41	40	44	57	182	204	14	20	5	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	3	0.4757824639	0.382805966	0.2714051394	0.1115384615	0	0	0	0.01146699267	0.2572855003993490
Badlands National Park	43	39	32	37	31	27	20	25	33	37	61	206	226	6	13	5	8	0	0	1	0	96	1	15	17	0.4414650388	0.4389531642	0.1448879169	0.1192307692	0	0.0006191950464	0.03425536117	0.02331295844	0.2521446307186900
White Sands National Park	44	41	51	13	26	27	22	41	54	38	52	160	162	28	33	7	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0.4145615982	0.3106425983	0.4976489885	0.1346153846	0	0	0	0.001488997555	0.2519370582708620
Acadia National Park	45	47	27	41	16	27	22	41	25	38	41	214	231	7	6	11	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	33	15	0.3730521643	0.4554572066	0.1098961181	0.2192307692	0	0	0	0.04033496333	0.2418868347529690
WrangellSt. Elias National Park	46	34	37	53	49	24	22	21	9	44	59	191	207	0	1	2	2	1	1	0	0	58	58	88	90	0.4833296337	0.398884862	0.006451612903	0.03846153846	0.005859166933	0	0.04324833768	0.13200978	0.2413585439171090
Theodore Roosevelt National Park	47	40	45	34	30	19	22	22	26	37	60	162	213	9	12	6	7	2	2	0	0	42	70	29	22	0.4376914539	0.361925007	0.1689447786	0.1230769231	0.01171833387	0	0.04231972641	0.03975794621	0.2379709319284960
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	48	27	53	36	52	27	22	41	37	50	66	143	173	9	11	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	7	0.5520976693	0.2960691386	0.1624931657	0.02692307692	0	0	0	0.01542298289	0.2352370262751390
Hot Springs National Park	49	51	57	14	9	23	22	32	22	38	31	106	92	18	48	13	22	2	0	0	0	12	0	28	47	0.3353163152	0.1648801227	0.4927282668	0.3192307692	0.006349206349	0	0.004232804233	0.05098288509	0.2154693361882260
Isle Royale National Park	50	55	17	49	23	27	22	23	16	18	25	243	256	5	3	8	11	0	0	0	0	92	19	53	51	0.1714983352	0.5218009479	0.07020229634	0.1769230769	0	0	0.03991711798	0.07793887531	0.2068901994457250
Denali National Park	51	48	49	55	53	25	4	7	31	37	41	154	179	0	0	1	1	1	0	202	0	579	49	19	19	0.3659933407	0.3179328129	0	0.01923076923	0.003174603175	0.1250773994	0.2234862423	0.02829095355	0.2021421428131410
Katmai National Park	52	46	47	55	53	17	22	39	23	35	47	160	201	0	0	1	1	6	0	0	0	2	0	31	40	0.3745172031	0.3476094229	0	0.01923076923	0.01904761905	0	0.0007054673721	0.0505599022	0.1881349266065980
Lake Clark National Park	53	45	48	55	56	27	22	36	17	36	48	158	180	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	43	54	0.3853496115	0.3247630332	0	0.01153846154	0	0	0.001058201058	0.06940586797	0.1854764809843200
Dry Tortugas National Park	54	60	12	50	60	27	22	41	6	6	2	291	228	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	261	4	0	0.5658488988	0.06648441771	0	0	0	0	0.2629559902	0.1757359538480630
Kenai Fjords National Park	55	49	54	55	59	21	22	39	21	32	50	145	142	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	2	0	32	40	0.3646614872	0.2696264288	0	0.007692307692	0.009523809524	0	0.0007054673721	0.0515599022	0.1648759817031350
National Park of American Samoa	56	59	59	31	56	2	14	32	1	10	5	39	38	10	14	1	0	52	58	8	0	12	0	600	818	0.03955604883	0.01516587678	0.1920174959	0.01153846154	0.3207840631	0.004953560372	0.004232804233	1	0.1543702345519020
Gates of the Arctic National Park	57	50	55	55	56	27	22	41	45	38	38	121	134	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	17	0.3617314095	0.2267493727	0	0.01153846154	0	0	0	0.009312958435	0.1489745683365540
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park	58	57	58	39	47	3	3	1	50	14	2	62	40	11	2	4	0	45	65	86	39	1264	1018	4	4	0.05647058824	0.05088514079	0.1247676326	0.04615384615	0.3173537872	0.1770602978	0.8458553792	0.00595599022	0.1420292954189650
Kobuk Valley National Park	59	54	56	55	53	27	22	41	29	28	36	109	125	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	26	0.2835960044	0.2005715082	0	0.01923076923	0	0	0	0.02871393643	0.1254517333474060
Haleakalā National Park	60	58	60	44	50	5	6	3	44	13	2	41	22	9	1	3	0	36	36	43	24	863	587	6	7	0.04941176471	0.002941176471	0.09797703663	0.03461538462	0.2109300096	0.1028158632	0.5350575011	0.009422982885	0.0891052197409868

Final Thoughts

There is an unexplored pulse of life in the moss-soaked shadows of coastal redwoods. The sun-scorched badlands of Big Bend. The out-of-this-world lava fields of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. America’s national parks offer some of the best wildlife spotting experiences on Earth, no passport required. 

If you want to catch a glimpse of a condor in California, a lurking rattlesnake in Texas, or a massive elk in Washington, consider adding these national parks to your itinerary. Once-in-a-lifetime encounters with nature’s most incredible creatures are guaranteed. 

See you on trails!

Research done by Andreea Racu.
Data analyzed by Oded Gross.
Featured image by Ben Kelsey.