Top 7 U.S Places to Experience Wildlife

The United States is a country blessed with some of the most breathtaking natural features in the world, ranging from purple mountains to rare animal species and glaciers. The following list highlights 7 must-see U.S places to experience wildlife.

The United States is arguably the biggest and most enduring human civilization in our times and it’s known as the home of freedom, invention, and commerce. Yet, beneath the numerous urban sprawls that straddle the vast nation, lies perhaps one of the most underappreciated wealth of natural features in the Americas.

From the famous Purple Mountains in Colorado to the aptly named Death Valley and the most majestic waterfalls of them all, The Niagara Falls, the US is a paradise for the nature lover. And not only that, the country is home to a diverse collection of wildlife that is the envy of most countries. As it is, there is an estimated 750 species of bird, 430 species of mammals and more than 100,000 species of insects found in the 6770 wildlife national parks in USA.

That said, below are 7 ideal places to experience wildlife and wild nature in the USA:

1. Dive into the Wild Nature of California

The Golden State is one of the most popular US destinations among local and international tourists alike. While most people go to California for recreational purposes, but with the hundreds of miles of cliff-lined beaches, wildlife lovers are also in for a treat. Different types of animals can be seen in their natural habitats in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mojave Desert, and the Central Valley Farmland.

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, found along the lower banks of the Colorado River is one of those U.S wildlife places you have to visit at least once in your life. The refuge consists of a marshland which is home to thousands of wild geese, ducks, and waterbirds. A part of it is a desert where you can see jackrabbits and whiptail rabbits as well as mule deer.

2. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming

The Yellowstone National Park has the distinction of being the oldest national park in USA, having been established in 1872. It is one of the top U.S wildlife places to watch, and live the wildlife experience. Depending on which part of the park you visit, you will come across grizzly bears, bison, wolves, black bears, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.

3. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The park is so large that it stretches over two states, Tennessee and North Carolina and is also the first national park in America to be funded by the federal government.

The park contains a diverse wildlife population that includes an estimated 1,500 black bears - Eastern America's biggest black bear population in a single park. Additionally, you will see hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Some of the animals you'll come across include the rare lungless salamanders, raccoons, river otter, and chipmunks.

4. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska - One of the Top U.S wildlife places for Marine Viewing

Located in Southeast Alaska, near the US-Canada border, the Glacier Bay National Park is among the best tourist places in America as it is home to both wildlife and marine animals. The park, which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, offers magnificent views of the Gulf of Alaska and the imposing glaciers aren't too bad to look at as well.

If you've never seen an orca or a sea lion in person, this is the best place to visit. Other animals viewable at the park include sea otters, seals, and whales.

5. Olympic National Park, Washington

The Olympic National Park offers a collection of magnificent landscapes that range from temperate rainforests, sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains and an even bunch of glaciers. It is mostly known for its large population of Roosevelt Elk, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the park.

The Olympic National Park is also home to one of the most unique animals in the world, the banana slug, which grows up to a foot long. Other exceptional animals found in the park include the aptly named Olympic Marmot, Olympic Torrent Salamander, and Olympic Snow Mole.

6. Everglades National Park, Florida

The Everglades National Park is quite vast, is rivaled only by Yellowstone and Death Valley National Parks. As you would expect, the park contains various landscapes, with some of it being tropical wilderness and other parts being mangrove forests.

The different types of animals you might see include the Florida Panther, Alligators, Wading Birds as well as the endangered West Indian Manatee. This biodiversity makes the Everglades one of the best places to see wildlife in USA.

7. Virgin Islands National Park, U.S Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands National Park presents a fun way of experiencing marine life in person. With over 50 species of coral and hundreds of fish species, not to mention the sunny beaches, the Virgin Islands is easily one of the best places to see wildlife in the world.

To see the marine life, it's best snorkel or dive, or you can just walk around with a camera and sure as hell, you'll come across a lot of hawksbill, dolphins and leatherback turtles.

Conclusion

The United States is a beautiful country with an enduring culture, diverse nature as well as thousands of wild species. So pack your traveling bags, take your travel gear, hop on a car and jump into the wild nature that the world's greatest country has to offer.

About the Author: Scott Pine is a journalist, part-time blogger, traveler and tech lover. He lives in Dallas and works on some own projects, including GearExpertGuides. Follow him on Twitter.

All images exept for cover photo: @Pixabay

Cover Photo: @Unsplash