Jun 8, 2026
Morton Arboretumi
Photo attribution
(c) Belinda Ramos, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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
51
Wildlife sightings
62,120
Places to explore
13,015
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.
Jun 8, 2026
Stafford Hollowi
Photo attribution
(c) cynthia nocton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
South Arkansas Arboretumi
Photo attribution
(c) Edie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
King William Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) IDClaire, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
Prallsvillei
Photo attribution
(c) Susan Mott, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preservei
Photo attribution
(c) Fives, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Featured Regions
Start with featured regions
These regions are a great starting point for wildlife, places, and variety across the United States.
Top parks and places
Massachusetts
Coasts, woodlands, marshes, and seasonal birdlife
930 Places3,676 Sightings609 Species
View region guide →
Most wildlife sightings
Virginia
Mountains, wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats
725 Places6,430 Sightings548 Species
View region guide →
Most wildlife variety
California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
667 Places6,071 Sightings833 Species
View region guide →
Region Guides
Regions to explore across the United States
Regions are sorted by places first, then wildlife activity.
United States
Massachusetts
Coasts, woodlands, marshes, and seasonal birdlife
930 Places3,676 Sightings609 Species
View region guide →
United States
New York
Mountains, forests, lakes, coasts, and parks
732 Places3,535 Sightings720 Species
View region guide →
United States
Virginia
Mountains, wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats
725 Places6,430 Sightings548 Species
View region guide →
United States
California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
667 Places6,071 Sightings833 Species
View region guide →
United States
Pennsylvania
Forests, ridges, rivers, and Appalachian wildlife
636 Places2,238 Sightings582 Species
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United States
North Carolina
Mountains, forests, wetlands, and Outer Banks
507 Places825 Sightings330 Species
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United States
Texas
Deserts, coasts, plains, forests, and rich variety
458 Places1,955 Sightings485 Species
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United States
Illinois
Prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and migratory birds
445 Places2,296 Sightings582 Species
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United States
Ohio
Forests, wetlands, rivers, and Lake Erie
437 Places1,813 Sightings524 Species
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United States
Florida
Wetlands, coasts, springs, birds, and alligators
419 Places2,713 Sightings479 Species
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United States
Connecticut
Coastal nature, woodlands, marshes, and birdlife
416 Places2,290 Sightings576 Species
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United States
Georgia
Mountains, marshes, forests, and coastal wildlife
391 Places1,379 Sightings517 Species
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United States
Indiana
Woodlands, lakes, dunes, and birdlife corridors
377 Places1,012 Sightings417 Species
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United States
Michigan
Great Lakes shores, forests, dunes, wildlife
362 Places1,107 Sightings385 Species
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United States
Alabama
Forests, rivers, wetlands, and Gulf Coast wildlife
317 Places1,449 Sightings503 Species
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United States
Maryland
Bays, marshes, forests, and tidal wildlife
308 Places1,554 Sightings428 Species
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United States
Iowa
Prairies, rivers, wetlands, and open skies
303 Places729 Sightings320 Species
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United States
New Jersey
Marshes, shorelines, forests, and migration habitats
290 Places1,599 Sightings486 Species
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United States
Wisconsin
Lakes, forests, wetlands, and northern wildlife
279 Places892 Sightings324 Species
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United States
South Carolina
Marshes, beaches, forests, and coastal wildlife
231 Places871 Sightings382 Species
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United States
Arkansas
Woodlands, rivers, mountains, and quiet wildlife
221 Places419 Sightings254 Species
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United States
Washington
Rainforests, mountains, islands, coasts, and wildlife
216 Places2,496 Sightings452 Species
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United States
Kentucky
Forests, caves, rivers, and rolling hills
216 Places639 Sightings310 Species
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United States
Missouri
Ozarks, rivers, forests, caves, and wildlife
211 Places625 Sightings324 Species
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United States
Tennessee
Forests, mountains, rivers, and rich birdlife
190 Places942 Sightings374 Species
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United States
Colorado
Mountains, alpine trails, wildlife, and wildflower summers
178 Places1,073 Sightings334 Species
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United States
West Virginia
Mountains, forests, rivers, and rugged landscapes
178 Places451 Sightings278 Species
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United States
Rhode Island
Coastal habitats, bays, marshes, and seabirds
170 Places508 Sightings261 Species
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United States
Vermont
Forests, mountains, rivers, and seasonal color
160 Places486 Sightings254 Species
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United States
Maine
Rocky coasts, forests, lakes, and seabirds
142 Places661 Sightings303 Species
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United States
Oregon
Coasts, forests, mountains, deserts, and wildlife
140 Places1,090 Sightings383 Species
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United States
Minnesota
Lakes, forests, prairies, and northern wildlife
138 Places391 Sightings204 Species
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United States
New Hampshire
Mountains, forests, lakes, and changing seasons
136 Places811 Sightings341 Species
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United States
Mississippi
Rivers, wetlands, forests, and Gulf habitats
133 Places169 Sightings120 Species
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United States
Louisiana
Wetlands, bayous, coasts, birds, and alligators
128 Places453 Sightings246 Species
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United States
Arizona
Desert wildlife, canyons, mountains, and cactus
122 Places710 Sightings244 Species
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United States
New Mexico
Desert, mesas, mountains, and distinctive wildlife
100 Places568 Sightings250 Species
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United States
Nebraska
Prairies, rivers, sandhills, and migratory birds
95 Places569 Sightings317 Species
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United States
Wyoming
Mountains, basins, plains, and iconic wildlife
93 Places500 Sightings172 Species
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United States
Montana
Big skies, mountains, plains, and wildlife
91 Places536 Sightings264 Species
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United States
Kansas
Prairies, wetlands, grasslands, and migration routes
88 Places234 Sightings154 Species
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United States
Idaho
Mountains, rivers, forests, and rugged wildlife
81 Places105 Sightings78 Species
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United States
Hawaii
Tropical islands, volcanic landscapes, coasts, seabirds
78 Places448 Sightings122 Species
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United States
Delaware
Marshes, coastlines, bays, and migrating birds
77 Places286 Sightings136 Species
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United States
Utah
Canyons, deserts, mountains, and dramatic nature
77 Places243 Sightings117 Species
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United States
Oklahoma
Prairies, forests, wetlands, and surprising diversity
75 Places382 Sightings200 Species
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United States
Alaska
Vast wild landscapes shaped by glaciers, bears
55 Places417 Sightings154 Species
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United States
South Dakota
Prairies, badlands, hills, and iconic wildlife
54 Places338 Sightings135 Species
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United States
Nevada
Desert basins, mountains, wetlands, and wildlands
49 Places289 Sightings135 Species
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United States
North Dakota
Prairies, wetlands, grasslands, and open horizons
48 Places168 Sightings112 Species
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United States
District of Columbia
Parks, rivers, monuments, and urban wildlife
45 Places679 Sightings120 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.
Loading region map…
Places to Start
Parks, zoos, aquariums, and nature spots
Good starting points for exploring wildlife and local places across the United States.
Park188 sightings2 species
Virginia, US
Mount Vernon Woods Park
You might spot Rushes, Engelmann's Spikerush, and Dangleberry.
View place guide →
Park166 sightings19 species
Maryland, US
Rock Creek Regional Park
You might spot Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird, and White-Tailed Deer.
View place guide →
Park162 sightings9 species
Washington, US
Madison Park
You might spot Strawberry Tree, Duck, and American Beaver.
View place guide →
Park157 sightings10 species
Massachusetts, US
Lucy Larcom Park
You might spot Grey Cross Spider, Common Milkweed, and Roses.
View place guide →
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Park156 sightings14 species
District of Columbia, US
Canal Park
You might spot Duck, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and European Starling.
View place guide →
Park152 sightings13 species
Virginia, US
Great Falls Park
You might spot Kiwi Bubbles, Common Pawpaw, and Eastern Skunk Cabbage.
View place guide →
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.
