Here Are The Best Destinations In The U.S. For Spotting Wildlife

One of the most breathtaking national parks in our country, Glacier National Park has an array of exotic animals that claim these landscapes as their home. You'll be amazed by the view of mountain goats climbing the cliffs inside the park. Visitors of the park might also get a chance to see animals like elk, bighorn sheep, bears and other unique four-legged creatures.

While exploring the Hawaiian Islands you'll often have the luxury of getting an up-close view of some pretty spectacular wildlife. Right along the coast of Kauaʻi Island, Poipu Beach Park is not just a popular spot for swimming and waterfront views; you'll also find people visiting here to check out the local green sea turtles! Federal laws help keep these turtles protected from the public and to prevent them from being harassed, but you can still enjoy a wonderful and intimate view of them in their natural habitat.

Both North Carolina and Tennessee get to enjoy claims to the scenic landscapes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Generally speaking, most people are smart enough to not seek out any trouble with black bears. But if you're wondering where one might happen to find these beautiful yet unpredictable creatures, a good place to start would be this national park. A fact that some people might not be aware of: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is actually one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States where black bears can live in their natural habitat!

With a coast as big and beautiful as California's, you're guaranteed to find some jaw-dropping viewing points for wildlife in this state. Visitors of The Golden State who want to see wildlife like never before should head out to La Jolla Cove. Located in Southern California, at La Jolla Cove you'll find a mass of seals and sea lions soaking up the sun on the beach and rocks here.

Spoiled rotten with wildlife, residents of Florida are lucky to have more than a handful of amazing locations where they can go swimming or get an up-close look at manatees. One of the most popular places to check out these marine mammals is West Palm Beach's Manatee Lagoon. The hands-on educational center allows you to check out wild manatees that swim in the local lagoon.

A serene outdoor setting to explore, New York's Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a popular place to visit when you're looking to lay your eyes on bald eagles. The refuge covers over 10,000 acres of the Empire State and currently has a total of six active bald eagle nests - with the eagles regularly nesting here since the late 1980s.

Found in the southwestern corner of South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park covers nearly 34,000 acres. Most people like to come to this particular national park to check out the historic and sixth longest cave in the entire world, but what you can also expect to discover is some absolutely head-turning wildlife. Grazing their way through the park, pronghorns are the fastest North American mammal, and visitors often catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures.

Some of us may be absolutely frightened by the idea of seeing a shark out in the ocean, but you'll find that equally as many people are interested in getting a look at these creatures. Found swimming out near the coast of Cape Cod, many sharks were found frozen to death this winter after experiencing a cold shock and harsh winter weather. This gorgeous corner of Massachusetts is also a great place to view whales and seals.

One of the most enchanting areas of our country, Washington's Olympic Peninsula is full of everything from mountains, waterfalls, lakes and yes... amazing wildlife! Depending on how much of the area you actually explore, you might run into anything from Roosevelt elk and deer to mountain goats and other small forms of wildlife.