Wildlife Safety in the National Parks
Seeing iconic wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the many reasons people visit America’s national parks.
From the birds of the Everglades to Yellowstone megafauna, marine life of the Channel Islands and the rare species of Hawaii, you can find amazing wildlife viewing opportunities all across the United States.
While the chance to see famous animals in the wild is one the parks’ main attractions, it is incredibly important to observe these animals in a safe way. Wildlife viewing safety in the national parks is your responsibility. Always remember that you are entering the animals’ home—you’re the guest; be respectful.
Additionally, encounters between wild animals and people pose serious risks to both parties involved. People can get severely injured by aggressive wildlife, while animals can become conditioned to human food, catch diseases or even be killed.
To reduce the risk of dangerous wildlife encounters, as well as prevent animals from becoming habituated to humans, please follow all rules and guidelines of the park(s) you’re visiting.
Wildlife Safety Guides: Bison, Bears, Moose & More
Please refer to the wildlife viewing safety guides below for information about how to behave when encountering certain animals in national parks (and beyond). They also include tips on how to prevent encounters.
Following these guidelines will ensure a safe and memorable wildlife viewing experience in America’s beautiful national parks.
American Bison
America’s national mammal, the bison is perhaps the most iconic of all national park animals—a bison is featured on the National Park Service emblem. Yet, they can also be quite unpredictable and dangerous.
Black Bear
Abundant all across the United States, the American black bear is a relatively often spotted animal in the parks. While usually quite shy and elusive, black bears can occasionally be dangerous to park visitors.
Grizzly Bear
Perhaps the most feared animal in America, the grizzly bear is found in a handful of parks in the Northwest and Alaska. Although attacks are rare, the animals’ sheer size and power make them a creature to be respectful and careful of.
Elk
Also known as wapiti, elk are the largest member of the deer family. These large ungulates live in several national parks, from the Great Smokies to the Olympic rain forests. Be especially careful during the spring calving and fall mating seasons.
Moose
One of America’s largest land animals, moose injure more people annually than bears. Despite their huge size, these fascinating animals are surprisingly quite and hard to spot. Take care near ponds, streams and thickets of willows.
Mountain Lion
Also known as cougar, puma or catamount, the mountain lion is one of the most widespread predators in the Americas. Seeing one in the wild can be both thrilling and terrifying. They’re typically very shy, but you should still know what to do during an encounter.
Rattlesnake
Extremely abundant throughout the United States, you can find rattlesnakes from New England and the Midwest to California and the Southwest. Although they do inspire fear into many hikers, following some basic rattlesnake safety guidelines will keep you safe.
Sharks
Wildly misunderstood marine animals, sharks may be apex predators, but attacks on humans are extremely rare. Yet, it is still important to know how to prevent sharks attacks and what to do when you see a shark while swimming.
Best National Parks for Wildlife Viewing
Seeing a mother grizzly with cubs walking through a meadow at sunrise… Witnessing a whale breach next to your boat… Watching a wolf pack chase an elk… Peering through a pair of binoculars to find a bald eagle… Few things are more popular in national parks than wildlife viewing.
These blog posts tell you exactly in which parks you can see some of America’s most iconic animals.
