Wildlife and nature in the United States

Browse regions across the United States to discover wildlife-rich places, from forests and wetlands to deserts, coastlines, mountains, and family-friendly parks.

Regions to explore

37

Wildlife sightings

18,123

Places to explore

427

United States wildlife guide illustration

Country Overview

Why families explore the United States

The United States spans an enormous range of habitats, from mountains, wetlands, and forests to deserts, coastlines, and urban green spaces. This guide helps families explore wildlife and nature by region, making it easier to discover local places and compare the kinds of outdoor experiences different areas can offer. Some regions are known for alligators, bison, seabirds, or desert wildlife, while others are shaped by forests, wildflowers, and park landscapes that make family nature outings easier to enjoy. Each region guide gives families a more local starting point for exploring wildlife and nature across the country.

Recent wildlife sightings in the United States

A recent snapshot of wildlife activity from across the United States.

Featured Regions

Start with featured regions

These regions are a great starting point for wildlife, places, and variety across the United States.

Region Guides

Regions to explore across the United States

Regions are sorted by places first, then wildlife activity.

37 regions
Virginia landscape

United States

Virginia

Mountains, wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats

77 Places5,008 Sightings121 Species

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California landscape

United States

California

Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity

42 Places1,436 Sightings77 Species

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Washington landscape

United States

Washington

Rainforests, mountains, islands, coasts, and wildlife

40 Places1,452 Sightings72 Species

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Florida landscape

United States

Florida

Wetlands, coasts, springs, birds, and alligators

40 Places1,082 Sightings75 Species

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New York landscape

United States

New York

Mountains, forests, lakes, coasts, and parks

26 Places1,149 Sightings101 Species

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Pennsylvania landscape

United States

Pennsylvania

Forests, ridges, rivers, and Appalachian wildlife

20 Places638 Sightings91 Species

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Illinois landscape

United States

Illinois

Prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and migratory birds

19 Places723 Sightings66 Species

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Texas landscape

United States

Texas

Deserts, coasts, plains, forests, and rich variety

19 Places609 Sightings74 Species

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Massachusetts landscape

United States

Massachusetts

Coasts, woodlands, marshes, and seasonal birdlife

12 Places1,026 Sightings60 Species

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Michigan landscape

United States

Michigan

Great Lakes shores, forests, dunes, wildlife

11 Places364 Sightings59 Species

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Maryland landscape

United States

Maryland

Bays, marshes, forests, and tidal wildlife

9 Places553 Sightings61 Species

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Tennessee landscape

United States

Tennessee

Forests, mountains, rivers, and rich birdlife

9 Places268 Sightings61 Species

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South Dakota landscape

United States

South Dakota

Prairies, badlands, hills, and iconic wildlife

9 Places160 Sightings35 Species

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District of Columbia landscape

United States

District of Columbia

Parks, rivers, monuments, and urban wildlife

7 Places491 Sightings38 Species

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Oregon landscape

United States

Oregon

Coasts, forests, mountains, deserts, and wildlife

7 Places337 Sightings33 Species

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Ohio landscape

United States

Ohio

Forests, wetlands, rivers, and Lake Erie

7 Places332 Sightings58 Species

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New Jersey landscape

United States

New Jersey

Marshes, shorelines, forests, and migration habitats

6 Places369 Sightings42 Species

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Colorado landscape

United States

Colorado

Mountains, alpine trails, wildlife, and wildflower summers

6 Places143 Sightings32 Species

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North Carolina landscape

United States

North Carolina

Mountains, forests, wetlands, and Outer Banks

5 Places161 Sightings40 Species

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Georgia landscape

United States

Georgia

Mountains, marshes, forests, and coastal wildlife

5 Places160 Sightings37 Species

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Oklahoma landscape

United States

Oklahoma

Prairies, forests, wetlands, and surprising diversity

5 Places100 Sightings47 Species

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Louisiana landscape

United States

Louisiana

Wetlands, bayous, coasts, birds, and alligators

5 Places88 Sightings50 Species

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Connecticut landscape

United States

Connecticut

Coastal nature, woodlands, marshes, and birdlife

4 Places164 Sightings45 Species

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Alabama landscape

United States

Alabama

Forests, rivers, wetlands, and Gulf Coast wildlife

4 Places143 Sightings35 Species

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New Mexico landscape

United States

New Mexico

Desert, mesas, mountains, and distinctive wildlife

4 Places56 Sightings19 Species

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Wisconsin landscape

United States

Wisconsin

Lakes, forests, wetlands, and northern wildlife

3 Places243 Sightings34 Species

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Indiana landscape

United States

Indiana

Woodlands, lakes, dunes, and birdlife corridors

3 Places139 Sightings31 Species

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Minnesota landscape

United States

Minnesota

Lakes, forests, prairies, and northern wildlife

3 Places130 Sightings33 Species

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Utah landscape

United States

Utah

Canyons, deserts, mountains, and dramatic nature

3 Places41 Sightings18 Species

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South Carolina landscape

United States

South Carolina

Marshes, beaches, forests, and coastal wildlife

3 Places35 Sightings17 Species

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Delaware landscape

United States

Delaware

Marshes, coastlines, bays, and migrating birds

2 Places128 Sightings38 Species

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Kentucky landscape

United States

Kentucky

Forests, caves, rivers, and rolling hills

2 Places87 Sightings19 Species

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Wyoming landscape

United States

Wyoming

Mountains, basins, plains, and iconic wildlife

2 Places77 Sightings12 Species

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Arizona landscape

United States

Arizona

Desert wildlife, canyons, mountains, and cactus

2 Places71 Sightings10 Species

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Iowa landscape

United States

Iowa

Prairies, rivers, wetlands, and open skies

2 Places71 Sightings28 Species

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Missouri landscape

United States

Missouri

Ozarks, rivers, forests, caves, and wildlife

2 Places53 Sightings29 Species

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New Hampshire landscape

United States

New Hampshire

Mountains, forests, lakes, and changing seasons

2 Places36 Sightings20 Species

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Region Map

See where there is the most to explore

Use the map to spot regions with strong wildlife activity and places to explore.

51 regions mapped
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Places to Start

Parks, zoos, aquariums, and nature spots

Good starting points for exploring wildlife and local places across the United States.

Popular Wildflowers

Popular wildflowers in the United States

A quick look at wildflowers often seen across the United States.

Popular Animals

Popular animals in the United States

A helpful starting set of animals families may spot while exploring the United States.

Popular Birds

Popular birds in the United States

A quick look at birdlife often seen across the United States.

Rare Species

Rare wildlife highlights in the United States

Unusual and hard-to-spot species that make the United States' wildlife feel especially distinctive.