OT Staff & Waquar Habib
Yellowstone protects the largest continuously free-ranging bison herd in the lower 48. Watch safely from roadsides and pullouts, especially Lamar and Hayden Valleys, where herds graze year-round and migrate seasonally.
Reintroduced in 1995–96, gray wolves now roam Yellowstone’s northern range. Dawn viewing in the Lamar Valley offers the best chance to observe packs hunting elk or travelling across open shrub-steppe.
A critically endangered cougar subspecies, the Florida panther occasionally ranges into Everglades National Park’s western forests. Sightings are rare; look for tracks, scat, and telemetry-informed closure notices along backcountry routes.
Everglades hosts one of the few US populations of American crocodiles. Brackish marinas, mangrove creeks, and Flamingo area shorelines provide habitat; maintain distance and never feed or approach basking individuals.
Endemic island fox subspecies inhabit six Channel Islands. Following intensive recovery efforts, they’re commonly seen on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, foraging near campgrounds and trails at dawn and dusk.
The largest North American elk subspecies thrives in Olympic’s temperate rainforests. Hoh and Quinault valleys support sizeable herds; observe quietly from trails and riverbanks, particularly during autumn rutting activity.
Katmai’s Brooks River hosts reliable seasonal gatherings of coastal brown bears feeding on migrating salmon. Elevated platforms at Brooks Falls provide regulated, close-range viewing during peak runs in summer.
White-coated Dall sheep favour Denali’s steep alpine slopes. Scan ridgelines along the Park Road for grazing bands, especially near Polychrome Pass, using binoculars to minimise disturbance and ensure safety.
Hawaiʻi’s endemic nēnē has rebounded through conservation. Birds frequent park roadsides, lava fields, and grasslands. Drivers must slow for crossing geese; feeding is prohibited to protect natural behaviours.
From late spring to early autumn, hundreds of thousands emerge nightly from Carlsbad Cavern. Ranger-led Bat Flight Programs explain behaviour, timing, and conservation while visitors watch the dramatic spiral ascent.