Jun 20, 2026
Theater Districti
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no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
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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
74,516
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 20, 2026
Arnold Arboretumi
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(c) feralbeetle, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
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Jun 20, 2026
Bloomingdalei
Photo attribution
(c) Peter Burka, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 20, 2026
Cleveland Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Martin Kalfatovic, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 20, 2026
Cleveland Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Martin Kalfatovic, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 20, 2026
Cleveland Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Martin Kalfatovic, 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 Places4,501 Sightings724 Species
View region guide →
Most wildlife sightings
California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
667 Places7,397 Sightings992 Species
View region guide →
Most wildlife variety
New York
Mountains, forests, lakes, coasts, and parks
732 Places4,215 Sightings824 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 Places4,501 Sightings724 Species
View region guide →
United States
New York
Mountains, forests, lakes, coasts, and parks
732 Places4,215 Sightings824 Species
View region guide →
United States
Virginia
Mountains, wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats
725 Places7,279 Sightings657 Species
View region guide →
United States
California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
667 Places7,397 Sightings992 Species
View region guide →
United States
Pennsylvania
Forests, ridges, rivers, and Appalachian wildlife
636 Places2,841 Sightings696 Species
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United States
North Carolina
Mountains, forests, wetlands, and Outer Banks
507 Places863 Sightings342 Species
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United States
Texas
Deserts, coasts, plains, forests, and rich variety
458 Places2,208 Sightings556 Species
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United States
Illinois
Prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and migratory birds
445 Places2,788 Sightings677 Species
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United States
Ohio
Forests, wetlands, rivers, and Lake Erie
437 Places2,255 Sightings617 Species
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United States
Florida
Wetlands, coasts, springs, birds, and alligators
419 Places3,091 Sightings554 Species
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United States
Connecticut
Coastal nature, woodlands, marshes, and birdlife
416 Places2,775 Sightings659 Species
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United States
Georgia
Mountains, marshes, forests, and coastal wildlife
391 Places1,621 Sightings599 Species
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United States
Indiana
Woodlands, lakes, dunes, and birdlife corridors
377 Places1,134 Sightings459 Species
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United States
Michigan
Great Lakes shores, forests, dunes, wildlife
362 Places1,349 Sightings461 Species
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United States
Alabama
Forests, rivers, wetlands, and Gulf Coast wildlife
317 Places1,656 Sightings569 Species
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United States
Maryland
Bays, marshes, forests, and tidal wildlife
308 Places1,829 Sightings484 Species
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United States
Iowa
Prairies, rivers, wetlands, and open skies
303 Places913 Sightings371 Species
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United States
New Jersey
Marshes, shorelines, forests, and migration habitats
290 Places2,117 Sightings587 Species
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United States
Wisconsin
Lakes, forests, wetlands, and northern wildlife
279 Places1,221 Sightings425 Species
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United States
South Carolina
Marshes, beaches, forests, and coastal wildlife
231 Places1,183 Sightings455 Species
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United States
Arkansas
Woodlands, rivers, mountains, and quiet wildlife
221 Places490 Sightings288 Species
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United States
Washington
Rainforests, mountains, islands, coasts, and wildlife
216 Places2,763 Sightings519 Species
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United States
Kentucky
Forests, caves, rivers, and rolling hills
216 Places685 Sightings329 Species
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United States
Missouri
Ozarks, rivers, forests, caves, and wildlife
211 Places754 Sightings366 Species
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United States
Tennessee
Forests, mountains, rivers, and rich birdlife
190 Places1,175 Sightings447 Species
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United States
Colorado
Mountains, alpine trails, wildlife, and wildflower summers
178 Places1,296 Sightings391 Species
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United States
West Virginia
Mountains, forests, rivers, and rugged landscapes
178 Places535 Sightings317 Species
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United States
Rhode Island
Coastal habitats, bays, marshes, and seabirds
170 Places760 Sightings331 Species
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United States
Vermont
Forests, mountains, rivers, and seasonal color
160 Places583 Sightings300 Species
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United States
Maine
Rocky coasts, forests, lakes, and seabirds
142 Places847 Sightings355 Species
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United States
Oregon
Coasts, forests, mountains, deserts, and wildlife
140 Places1,307 Sightings443 Species
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United States
Minnesota
Lakes, forests, prairies, and northern wildlife
138 Places464 Sightings236 Species
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United States
New Hampshire
Mountains, forests, lakes, and changing seasons
136 Places972 Sightings385 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 Places558 Sightings289 Species
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United States
Arizona
Desert wildlife, canyons, mountains, and cactus
122 Places886 Sightings282 Species
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United States
New Mexico
Desert, mesas, mountains, and distinctive wildlife
100 Places747 Sightings302 Species
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United States
Nebraska
Prairies, rivers, sandhills, and migratory birds
95 Places599 Sightings334 Species
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United States
Wyoming
Mountains, basins, plains, and iconic wildlife
93 Places658 Sightings198 Species
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United States
Montana
Big skies, mountains, plains, and wildlife
91 Places630 Sightings287 Species
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United States
Kansas
Prairies, wetlands, grasslands, and migration routes
88 Places283 Sightings180 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 Places644 Sightings178 Species
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United States
Delaware
Marshes, coastlines, bays, and migrating birds
77 Places338 Sightings170 Species
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United States
Utah
Canyons, deserts, mountains, and dramatic nature
77 Places275 Sightings124 Species
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United States
Oklahoma
Prairies, forests, wetlands, and surprising diversity
75 Places463 Sightings241 Species
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United States
Alaska
Vast wild landscapes shaped by glaciers, bears
55 Places592 Sightings201 Species
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United States
South Dakota
Prairies, badlands, hills, and iconic wildlife
54 Places382 Sightings149 Species
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United States
Nevada
Desert basins, mountains, wetlands, and wildlands
49 Places339 Sightings154 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 Places813 Sightings154 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 sightings50 species
Maryland, US
Rock Creek Regional Park
You might spot White-Tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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 →
Park128 sightings4 species
Virginia, US
Tattersall Park
You might spot Black Cohosh, Common Coral Slime, and Rue Anemone.
View place guide →
Park127 sightings9 species
Oregon, US
Reed College Parkway
You might spot Duck, Twinberry Honeysuckle, and Canada Goose.
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.
