The Top US National Parks for Wildlife Are Not Where You’d Expect

The opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the most cherished experiences for visitors to US national parks. That’s possible because US national parks are some of the most important conservation areas in North America, with roughly 600 threatened and endangered species — or one-third of all endangered and threatened species in the country — found in National Park Service sites.

And the fact that the US protects wildlife has a substantial economic impact. In 2022 alone, expenditures on wildlife-related trips and equipment reached $250 billion in the US, supporting 2.7 million jobs and generating an estimated $590 billion in economic output. Within national parks specifically, wildlife viewing contributes in a major way to local economies. In Yellowstone National Park alone, it’s estimated that having wolves in the park brings in more than $80 million a year in tourism spending.

But according to a new analysis of government and wildlife data, the best national parks for wildlife aren’t the ones you’d expect. The study was done in light of National Park Week (April 19-27) by Kühl, an independently-owned company specializing in mountain-ready outdoor gear and clothing. It found that travelers across the country have access to fantastic wildlife in national parks, but the best places to spot wildlife on protected lands aren’t where you’d expect.

Yellowstone National Park didn’t make the top 5

Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley is often considered “America’s Serengeti.” But when you take into account all species found around the country, it didn’t come out on top. In fact, it only ranked as the ninth best park for wildlife spotting. Here are the parks that came out on top.

To rank the parks, Kühl employees included all wildlife in national parks, not just megafauna like bison and bears. That’s likely why Yellowstone National Park didn’t take the top spot.

The best national park for wildlife overall: Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park took the top spot, primarily because it “spans across different elevations and climates, creating unique blends of several ecosystems that are home to a wide range of species.” It ranked first for bird-watching, with 447 bird species in the park, and second for mammals (91 species), reptiles (58 species, including Gila monsters), and spiders and scorpions (142 species). In addition to Gila monsters, other unique species visitors can see in the park include California condors, Mexican grey wolves, the pink-colored Grand Canyon rattlesnake, and desert bighorn sheep.

Where to stay: 13 Unique Airbnbs Near Grand Canyon National Park

After Grand Canyon National Park, the top four best places for spotting wildlife in national parks included:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: First for amphibians, first for slugs and snails, first for spiders and scorpions, third for mammals
• Big Bend National Park: First for reptiles, second for birds, fourth for mammals
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Fourth for birds, fifth for reptiles, seventh for mammals
• Redwood National Park: First for mammals, seventh for fish, seventh for amphibians, ninth for birds

The best national park for birding: also Grand Canyon National Park

One of the major reasons Grand Canyon took the overall top spot is because of its many, many bird species. It’s home to an impressive diversity of feathered friends, making it one of the most significant areas for bird conservation in the United States. In fact, in 2014, it became an internationally recognized “Important Bird Area” (a program managed in the US by the National Audubon Society). The park supports rare species like the Mexican spotted owl and Southwestern willow flycatcher, and is home to well-known birdwatching sites like Yaki Point, where it hosts hawk-watching events and bird lectures and events.

Where to stay: 7 Great Hotels Near Grand Canyon National Park

The best national park for mammals: Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park’s remote location far from any major airports — not to mention its healthy forests and sweeping coastlines — makes it a haven for large species, including Roosevelt elk. That gave it the edge, taking the top spot for the best national park in which to spot mammals. In addition to elk, Black-tailed deer are also common, and visitors may even see elusive predators such as black bears and mountain lions. Smaller animals it’d be almost impossible not to see include squirrels and chipmunks, but you may also see rarer small creatures like fishers, martens, and river otters.

Where to stay: 15 Magical Airbnbs Near Redwoods and Sequoia National Parks

The best national park for reptiles: Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park in Texas has more than 30 species of snakes, 22 species of lizards, and 4 species of turtles. That’s partially due to the park’s many habitats ranging from floodplains to mountain ranges. Between those canyons and summits, you may be able to find species like the Texas horned lizard, diamondback rattlesnake, and checkered whiptail. There are also poisonous snakes (so give them a wide berth) like rock rattlesnakes and the Trans-Pecos copperhead. The park also ranked as fourth-best for spotting mammals, including javelinas (also caled peccaries) and bobcats.

Where to stay: 11 Airbnbs Near Big Bend National Park

The best national park for amphibians: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hotspot for amphibians; in fact, it’s known as the “Salamander Capital of the World.” You can find more than 30 salamander specie in the park, plus more than 14 frog and toad species. Some are hard to find, while others, like the Hellbender salamander, can grow up to 29 inches long. Great Smoky Mountains also took the top spot in terms of slugs and snails, with more than 189 “slow-moving goo-makers,” and the top spot for spiders and scorpions (969 species, the most of any park in the system).

Where to stay: 14 Gorgeous Airbnb Cabins Near Smoky Mountains National Park

The best national park for insects: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Anyone whose been to Hawai’i knows that the state is full of insects, all of which are essential to maintaining the state’s gorgeous natural landscapes. So it’s no surprise that Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the big island is the best national park in the country for spotting insects. And it’s not just teeny-tiny critters you’ll find: the park is home to the bright orange Kamehameha butterfly (one of only two native butterflies in the state), and the easily recognized happy face spider, known for its distinctive back markings. You may also see the largest dragonfly in the US, the giant Hawaiian dragonfly, with a wingspan of up to six inches. Unfortunately, the park also has several invasive species that could threaten the park’s ongoing health, such as Argentine ants, which pray on critical pollinator species.

Where to stay: The Best Airbnbs on Hawaii’s Big Island

The best national park for fish: National Park of American Samoa

It should come as no surprise that American Samoa, a national park that’s more than one-third underwater, would take the top spot for fish variety. It’s one of the least-visited national parks in the entire NPS system, with an average of 10,000 to 20,000 visitors per year, total. For comparison, Rocky Mountain National Park has 4.5 million visitors per year. So if you visit, you’re likely to have the sweeping beaches nearly to yourself. While snorkeling, paddling, or scuba diving, you could theoretically see more than 800 species of fish, not to mention hundreds of coral varieties. Easy-to-recognize species include damselfish, wrasse, and colorful tangs, but the park is also home to extremely unique species, such as the armored searobin. It’s a bizarre fish that “walks” on the ocean floor using its fins like legs. It was discovered living at a depth more than two miles below the surface in 2019.

The study’s methodology was fairly straightforward, starting with analyzing the number of animal species in each park using official National Park Service data. Each wildlife type was then assigned a weight, with mammals generally being considered more appealing to visitors than slugs. Species that are currently in the parks were given additional weight, as opposed to species that have historically been in the parks. The results were then calculated for each park by type of species, with the final results appearing in the Kühl report.