i-70 Wildlife Watch

Category: Places

  • Unveiling the Natural Wonders of California: A Journey Through Its Five National Parks

    California is one of the most popular states in America when it comes to natural beauty, with a diverse range of landscapes that include towering mountains, sprawling deserts, and stunning coastlines. The state is home to five breathtaking national parks, each with its own unique features and attractions that make it a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
    In this post, we’ll take a closer look at California’s five national parks, exploring their natural wonders and highlighting the top attractions and activities to enjoy in each one. We’ll also recommend some other national parks in different states that are worth a visit, as well as offer some suggestions for planning your trip to California’s national parks.

    Five National Parks In California

    Yosemite National Park

    Yosemite is one of the most iconic national parks in America, known for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoias. Visitors can hike the park’s many trails, including the famous Half Dome and Yosemite Falls hikes, or explore the park’s many scenic drives and viewpoints.

    Joshua Tree National Park

    Joshua Tree is a unique national park that straddles the Mojave and Colorado deserts, offering visitors a surreal landscape of twisted Joshua trees, massive boulder formations, and stark, rocky peaks. The park is a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking, and stargazing, with several campgrounds and backcountry areas available for overnight stays.

    Death Valley National Park

    Death Valley isone of the hottest and driest places on earth, but it’s also one of the most fascinating. The park is home to stunning geological formations, including colorful badlands, towering sand dunes, and the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, scenic drives, and historic sites, like the abandoned mining town of Rhyolite.

    Redwood National and State Parks

    Redwood is a collection of national and state parks that protect some of the oldest and tallest trees on earth, the towering coast redwoods. Visitors can hike the park’s many trails, including the famous Tall Trees Trail, or drive the scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway, which offers stunning views of the redwood forest.

    Channel Islands National Park

    Channel Islands is a series of five islands off the coast of Southern California that offer visitors a rare glimpse of unspoiled wilderness. The islands are home to a variety of unique wildlife, including endemic species like the island fox and the Channel Islands spotted skunk. Visitors can hike, kayak, snorkel, and camp on the islands, or take a boat tour to see the marine life that surrounds them.

    Recommendations on National Parks In Other States

    While California’s national parks are certainly some of the most beautiful in the country, there are many other national parks worth visiting in other states. These include:

    • Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
    • Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
    • GreatSmoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
    • Acadia National Park in Maine
    • Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

    Suggestions and Tips

    • When planning your trip, be sure to check each park’s website for the latest information on park closures, trail conditions, and other important updates.
    • Many of California’s national parks are popular destinations, so consider visiting during the off-season or on weekdays to avoid crowds.
    • Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for hiking, as many of the parks can be hot and rugged.
    • Consider staying overnight in or near the parks to maximize your time and experience more of what each park has to offer.

    Conclusion

    California’s national parks offer a diverse range of natural wonders and outdoor adventures that are sure to leave visitors in awe. From the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite to the twisted Joshua trees of Joshua Tree, there’s something for everyone in these five incredible parks. And for those looking to explore other parts of the country, there are many other national parks worth visiting as well. So start planning your trip today and get ready to experience the natural beauty of America’s national parks firsthand.

  • Best National Parks for Wildlife Watching in the US

    We must be crazy for even suggesting there are “best” parks for wildlife watching. The truth is that every national park unit (and that includes historic sites, battlefields, memorials, lakeshore, seashores, etc.) has great wildlife watching opportunities. And if you are only after particular species, say the banana slug, well then there’s only a handful of parks that will meet your need.

    But we’ve been around long enough to know that there are certain species, in certain parks, and available at certain times of the year, that are of the greatest interest to the wildlife watcher. Of course that sometimes also means there may be crowds at those parks viewing those species, and that’s not always a good thing. So with that in mind we’re going to give a list of great wildlife watching parks and opportunities, including some that might be off the beaten track. And then to make the list more manageable, and fair, we picked only one unit from each state (western states do tend to have more parks and more large “charismatic” wildlife). Hopefully you can find a site near you.

    Table of Best Wildlife Viewing Parks
    Park Focal Species Tips
    Alaska                               
    Katmai NP    		 Brown Bear Book your reservation well in advance. Best viewing in Jul.-Aug. Costly.
    Arizona                               
    Grand Canyon NP    		 California Condor Still an endangered species. A majestic soaring bird.
    Arkansas
    Buffalo NR    		 Elk Reintroduced to the region. View during the fall rut.
    California
    Point Reyes NS    		 Gray Whale Great spot to view migrating whales from shore in winter months.
    Colorado
    Rocky Mountain NP    		  Bighorn Sheep Can be best viewed in the fall mating season and in winter.
    Florida
    Everglades NP    		  Alligator Best viewed in the winter when water is less abundant.
    Georgia
    Chattahoochee NRA    		  Canada Goose Common species any time of the year.
    Idaho  
    Craters of the Moon NM    		 Short-horned Lizard Most active in summer.
    Indiana
    Indiana Dunes NL    		 Sandhill Crane Now breed in the region. Skittish so view from a distance.
    Iowa
    Effigy Mounds NP    		 Raptor Migration Eagles, hawks, and vultures in the fall and winter along the Mississippi.
    Kansas
    Tallgrass Prairie NPres.    		 Prairie Chicken View the spring breeding dancing on the lek (i.e., dancing grounds).
    Maine
    Acadia NP    		 Harbor Seal Common.
    Maryland
    Assateague Island NS    		 Horseshoe Crab Most viewable during the breeding season as they come to shallows.
    Massachusetts
    Cape Code NS    		 Humpback Whale A recovering species.
    Michigan
    Sleeping Bear Dunes NL    		 Trumpeter Swan Now breed in the park. Keep your distance, especially during nesting.
    Minnesota
    Mississippi NRA    		 Bald Eagle Very common and active around open water in the winter months.
    Mississippi
    Gulf Island NS    		 Brown Pelican A recovering species, watch their dives into the water in search of fish.
    Missouri
    Ozarks NSR    		 Wild Turkey Go in spring when the gobbling fills the air.
    Montana
    Glacier NP    		 Mountain Goat The park road will take you within reach of this alpine animal.
    Nebraska
    Niobrara NSR    		 Soft-shelled Turtle Common along the scenic river. Best viewed by canoe.
    Nevada
    Great Basin NP    		 Coyote Common, but please don’t feed them.
    New Mexico
    Carlsbad Caverns NP    		 Brazilian Free-tailed Bat The bat exodus every evening is famous and amazing.
    New York
    Fire Island NS    		 Laughing Gull Birding for millions of people.
    North Carolina
    Cape Hatteras NS    		 Black Skimmer A marine bird.
    North Dakota
    Theodore Roosevelt NP    		 Bison View the calves in spring and rutting in the summer, but be careful.
    Ohio
    Cuyahoga Valley NP    		 Beaver They’ve recolonized Ohio. Most active in the evening.
    Oregon
    Crater Lake NP    		 Clark’s Nutcracker A striking bird, but don’t feed.
    Pennsylvania
    Delaware Water Gap NRA    		 Great Blue Heron Patiently watch as they strike for fish, frogs, and other food.
    South Carolina
    Congaree NP    		 Pileated Woodpecker Our largest woodpecker now that the ivory-billed is extinct.
    South Dakota
    Badlands NP    		 Black-tailed Prairie Dog A charming critter, especially in early summer when the young come up.
    Tennessee
    Great Smoky Mountains NP    		 Black Bear May be the best place on earth to see them.
    Texas
    Big Bend NP    		 Roadrunner A striking bird, if you see one.
    Utah
    Zion NP    		 Ringtail Like most desert wildlife, mostly nocturnal.
    Virginia
    Shenandoah NP    		 White-tailed Deer Common everywhere.
    Washington
    Olympic NP    		 Pacific Salmon Various runs from spring-fall so check with park staff.
    West Virginia
    New River Gorge NSR    		 Peregrine Falcon The world’s fastest bird nests on cliffs.
    Wisconsin
    St Croix NSR    		 River Otter A canoe trip is the best way to find them.
    Wyoming
    Yellowstone, NP    		 Gray Wolf Best place in the world to see them. Go in winter to avoid crowds.

     

  • The Best Zoos and Aquariums in the United States

    Zoos and aquariums are great places to learn about animals, conservation, and the natural world. The United States is home to some of the best zoos and aquariums in the world, offering visitors the chance to see a variety of creatures up close and personal. From the San Diego Zoo to the Georgia Aquarium, here are some of the best zoos and aquariums in the United States that you won’t want to miss.

    San Diego Zoo, California

    The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, known for its extensive collection of animals and its commitment to conservation. The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals from more than 650 species, including pandas, elephants, and tigers. The zoo also features botanical gardens, a children’s zoo, and a guided bus tour.

    Georgia Aquarium, Georgia

    The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, offering visitors the chance to see a variety of marine life up close. The aquarium is home to over 100,000 animals from 700 species, including whale sharks, beluga whales, and sea otters. The aquarium also offers a range of educational programs and behind-the-scenes tours.

    Bronx Zoo, New York

    The Bronx Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in the United States, known for its diverse collection of animals and its commitment to conservation. The zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from more than 700 species, including gorillas, snow leopards, and Komodo dragons. The zoo also features a range of exhibits, including the Congo Gorilla Forest and the Butterfly Garden.

    Monterey Bay Aquarium, California

    The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-class aquarium known for its stunning exhibits and its dedication to marine conservation. The aquarium is home to over 35,000 animals from more than 550 species, including sea otters, penguins, and hammerhead sharks. The aquarium also features a range of educational programs and interactive exhibits.

    Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington D.C.

    The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a popular attraction in Washington D.C., known for its diverse collection of animals and its commitment to conservation. The zoo is home to over 2,700 animals from 390 species, including giant pandas, lions, and elephants. The zoo also features a range of exhibits, including the American Trail and the Amazonia exhibit.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the United States is home to some of the best zoos and aquariums in the world, offering visitors the chance to see a variety of animals and learn about conservation and the natural world. From the San Diego Zoo to the Georgia Aquarium, each of these attractions offers a unique and unforgettable experience. So, whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family with children, or simply seeking a fun and educational outing, be sure to add one (or more!) of these incredible zoos and aquariums to your travel itinerary.