If your African safari bucket list trip is on hold, there are wonderful wildlife safaris in the meantime right here in your own backyard! Did you know America's 6,770 national parks and protected areas occupy over one million square miles and that North America is home to 457 mammal species, 662 reptile species, and 914 bird species? Over 1,200 animals in North America are endangered or threatened, and Nine Muses Travel works with conscientious tour operators whose wildlife programs directly contribute to wildlife preservation.
Your friends and family will set out on custom-designed routings with expert guides incorporating special vehicles outfitted with spotting equipment for the best wildlife viewing. I'll provide you with access to top biologists, conservationists, and researchers as well as privileged access to research sites, rehabilitation centers, and museums for those like me who always want to learn and have educational elements included, everywhere. Plus you'll receive 24/7 real-time support from our travel partners throughout your trip - an incredible perk!
Here's a list of 10 excellent wildlife viewing regions and extraordinary experiences all across the United States, so you might not have to travel far to go wild on your next trip!
Maine
Best Wildlife Viewing
Acadia National Park
Moosehead Lake
Key Species
Moose, black bears, whales, puffins, lynx, bobcats, coyotes, flying squirrels, porcupines, beavers, otters
Key Experiences
Whale watching Zodiac tour
Moosehead Lake moose safari
Hands-on lobsterman experience
Puffins and bird watching private eco boat tour
Florida
Best Wildlife Viewing
Everglades National Park
Biscayne National Park
Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Dry Tortugas National Park
Key Species
Alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, tortoises, wading birds, reef fish
Key Experiences
Dry Tortugas seaplane and snorkel
Florida Keys snorkel or dive tour
Everglades off-road bike tour
Private Everglades eco-tour
Audobon birding in Central Florida
The Dakotas
Best Wildlife Viewing
Badlands National Park
Custer State Park
Wind Cave National Park
Key Species
Bison, elk, prairie dogs, bighorn, owls, badgers, coyotes, ferrets
Key Experiences
Wind Cave prairie dog towns
Custer Park bison tour
Mickelson Trail bike excursion
Pactola Lake kayaking adventure
Wyoming
Best Wildlife Viewing
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Key Species
Black bears, grizzly bears, grey wolves, elk, bison, pronghorn & bighorn sheep, eagles
Key Experiences
Teton / Yellowstone safaris
Snake River private float trip
Wolf tracking in Lamar Valley
National elk herd refuge visit
Montana
Best Wildlife Viewing
Glacier National Park
Private ranches and reserves
Key Species
Wolves, grizzly & black bears, elk, eagles, bighorn & pronghorn sheep, mountain goats, lynx, wolverines
Key Experiences
Glacier flightseeing tour
Guided winter snowshoeing trek
Wildlife tours (Logan Pass, Fishercap Lake)
Flathead River rafting
Wolf tracking
New Mexico
Best Wildlife Viewing
Apache & Gila National Forests
White Sands National Park
Private ranches and reserves
Key Species
Bison, coyote, elk, black bears, prairie chickens, owls, roadrunners, oryx, barbary sheep
Key Experiences
Bison habitat & population management
Conservation of wildlife reserves
Typical ranch activities: horseback riding, fly fishing, etc.
Natural resource management
Protected area conservation challenges
California
Best Wildlife Viewing
Yosemite National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Elkhorn Slough
Elephant Seal Vista Point
Key Species
Elk, bears, coyote, seals, sea lions, marmots, whales (year-round), dolphins, otters, monarch butterflies (Oct-Feb)
Key Experiences
Eco tour ocean safari
Yosemite naturalist touring
Big Sur hiking adventure
Channel Islands sea caves kayak
Catalina Island bison Jeep safari
Washington State
Best Wildlife Viewing
Olympic National Park
San Juan Islands
Key Species
Black bears, orcas, whales, dolphins, otters, seals, sea lions, eagles, salmon, elk, bobcats, coyotes, moose, mountain goats, pronghorn sheep
Key Experiences
Olympic wildlife and nature tour
Private whale watching charter
San Juan Islands kayaking adventure
Hawaii
Best Wildlife Viewing
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Maui, Lanai, Big Island Coral Reefs
Key Species
Sea turtles, humpback whales (Dec-April), dolphins, manta rays, reef fish, endemic birds
Key Experiences
Private SCUBA / snorkel charter
Maui canoe and snorkel tour
Big Island dolphin safari
Private manta ray night snorkel
Whale watching
Alaska
Best Wildlife Viewing
Denali National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Coastal wilderness lodges & privately chartered cruises
Key Species
Grizzly, black and Kodiak bears, wolves, caribou, moose, mountain goats, Dall sheep, salmon, eagles, falcons, orcas, migratory whales
Key Experiences
Katmai Peninsula bear safari
Denali wilderness tours
Private whale watching charter
Wrangell-St. Elias flightseeing tour
Wildlife Center Partners
Nine Muses Travel's relationships open doors for special access and meetings with key staff at these and other important wildlife centers across the country.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center
The Wild Center
Vermont Nature Center
Turtle Hospital
Aquarium of the Pacific
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Houston Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
American Museum of Natural History
Nine Muses Travel works with exceptional tour operators who add unparalleled value for my clients.
Expert guides for private tours: historians, naturalists, artists, unique locals
Exclusive experiences
Comfortable, sanitized, and luxurious vehicles
Custom-designed routings
24/7 real-time support
Competitive rates at four and five star properties with strict health and safety protocols
Deep destination knowledge
Flexible and worry-free cancellation policies, including 100% refunds until shortly before travel
Contact Nine Muses Travel when you're ready to go wild around America and learn more about me and what I can do for you!
I design journeys that inspire by highlighting local arts and culture, history, and cuisine for intellectually curious clients longing to feel deeply inspired by exciting destinations, culinary delights, and authentic cultural experiences on a life-changing, joyful journey of discovery.
Danielle Dybiec
President of Nine Muses Travel
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