Buffalo in Yellowstone National Park – Copyright: rozabel/www.123rf.com
National Parks are great destinations for photographers. Besides taking stunning landscape pictures, there’s also the chance to capture wildlife in their natural setting. Surprisingly, you don’t need to hike in the backcountry to get great wildlife photos, though you may need a long lens. Head to one of these five parks for the best opportunity to capture impressive images.
1. Yellowstone National Park: The world’s first national park, Yellowstone’s spectacular beauty includes geysers, hot springs, lakes, and canyons. Traffic on the park’s roads sometimes comes to a stop when bison block the road. It’s common to see elk on the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. Bear sightings—both grizzly and black bear—are not unusual. Wolves were reintroduced in the park in 1995; many visitors rise early in the morning to spot them at their most active in Lamar Valley.
Glacier National Park – Copyright: Galyna Andrushko/www.123rf.com
2. Glacier National Park: Glacier is the gorgeous centerpiece of the “Crown of the Continent” region. The glaciers that give the park its name are shrinking, but the park has healthy populations of wildlife. Bighorn sheep sometimes graze the lawn beside the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Mountain goats are often seen along the easy Hidden Lake Trail that starts there. Grizzly bears can be seen almost anywhere in the park.
Denali National Park – Copyright: Jeff McGraw/www.123rf.com
3. Denali National Park: Mount McKinley in Denali is often hidden by clouds, but visitors see plenty of wildlife. Visitors ride tour buses along the 91-mile park road, with frequent stops. Travelers often see grizzlies, Dall sheep, and moose along the ride. Smaller animals like foxes and hares are also common.
Everglades National Park – Copyright: Sherry Yates/www.123rf.com
4. Everglades National Park: The park is home to both the American alligator and the American crocodile, though visitors are more likely to spot the alligator. There are several locations in the park where alligators are common, including Shark Valley, Anhinga Trail, and Eco Pond. Besides alligators, there are great opportunities for photos of birds, including cormorants, anhingas, and roseate spoonbills.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Copyright: Jason Yoder – www.123rf.com
5. Theodore Roosevelt National Park: In the badlands of North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s habitat is mostly grassland and prairie. Prairie dogs live in towns aside the park’s South Unit road. Bison roam through the South Unit parklands. Pronghorns can be seen in fields near the highway. Wild horses often graze near the park’s scenic loop. When taking photos of the horses, include enough landscape to distinguish them from the horses kept in corrals for trail rides.