Best Animal Watching Adventures in the U.S.

Moose, Wolves, Raptors and More – Family-friendly Wildlife Viewing

Oct 13, 2009

There are plenty of destinations across America, where wild animals still roam and up-close encounters can (safely) happen.

Wildlife watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. No wonder: catching a glimpse of an animal in its natural habitat is not only thrilling but a great opportunity to see some of the country's most pristine landscapes. Here are six top, easy-to-access animal-watching experiences.

Snorkeling with Sea Cows

What’s it like to come nose to whiskers with a giant sea cow? To find out, head to the warm spring waters of Crystal River, Florida, where 250 to 300 West Indian manatees like to hang out – the largest herd in the U.S. Local outfitters, like the Birds Underwater Dive Shop (352-563-2763, www.xtalwind.net/~bird), offer snorkeling excursions throughout winter and spring. Glass bottom boat tours are also offered.

In July or August, a pristine stretch of North Carolina beach erupts as more than 100 or so tiny turtles scramble out of their nests and, guided by the light of the moon, toddle to the Atlantic surf. For this after-midnight adventure, visit the Bald Head Island sea turtle sanctuary, 30 miles south of Wilmington. The Bald Island Conservancy runs nightly turtle walks from mid-June to mid-August.

One of the best places to see moose is in Maine, with more moose per square mile than any other place in North America. Paddle a canoe or kayak through weed-choked bogs and pretty streams on one of New England Outdoor Center’s guided moose safaris, near Greenville, Maine (800-766-7238; www.neoc.com.) In addition to moose, keep an eye out for deer, bear, beaver, osprey, and bald eagles Tours are offered late spring through fall. For more information contact Maine State Tourism.

Howling to the Wolves

Twilight wolf howl tours are offered by the International Wolf Center, in Ely, Minnesota, where some 2,000 timber wolves roam the wet, northern woods. Also visit the center’s pack of resident wolves, or travel through the Superior National Forest trying to locate a radio-collared wolf (guides provide easy-to-use, hand-held tracking equipment.) Programs are offered throughout the year.

In autumn, thousands of elk steal the show in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park—and the noise is hard to ignore. Bugling bull elk can be heard throughout the mountains and valleys, as they try to attract females to their harem and ward off male rivals. The best way to see them is on a ranger-led tour.

Raptors on the Snake River

Watch raptors—including peregrine falcons-- soar and dive against a backdrop of sandstone spires, while cruising Idaho’s scenic Snake River. The conservation canyon lands, hugging 81 miles of the Snake River, attract about 800 pairs of raptors each spring, that come to mate and raise their young. The area, just west of Boise, serves as a natural raptor nursery. The best way to see the raptors—and to learn about them—is on a guided float trip down the river through the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. (Birds of Prey Expeditions, 208-922-5285; www.birdsofpreyexpeditions.com offers trips spring-summer.) Watch for soaring eagles, hawks, and falcons.

Whether it's watching moose in Maine, snorkeling with sea cows in Florida, howling to wolves in Minnesota, listening to Colorado's bugling elk, watching raptors soar in Idaho or the midnight turtle hatching in North Carolina, the opportunity to see animals in the wild is a thrilling experience for children and adults alike.

The copyright of the article Best Animal Watching Adventures in the U.S. in Kid-Friendly Travel Destinations is owned by Pamela Wright. Permission to republish Best Animal Watching Adventures in the U.S. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.