Acadia National Park, Maine - Diverse wildlife on Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, and Schoodic Peninsula. 125 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads. Wildlife includes black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and 338 bird species.
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota - Sixth-longest cave system with intricate boxwork formations. Wildlife includes bison, coyotes, mountain lions, elk, and various bird species. Best wildlife viewing at open prairie near south entrance and grasslands.
Olympic National Park, Washington - Three unique ecosystems: temperate rainforests, glacier-topped mountains, Pacific coast. Wildlife includes Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and marine life.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina - Largest protected black bear habitat in eastern USA. Diverse ecosystem with elk, deer, birds, and synchronous fireflies. Best spots for elk in Cataloochee Valley and fireflies near Elkmont Campground.
Maui, Hawaii - Idyllic beaches, green valleys, and volcanic landscapes. Wildlife includes humpback whales, dolphins, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Best whale watching at channel between Maui and Molokai during winter.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming - Teeming with wildlife in lush valleys, meadows, plains, and Teton peaks. Wildlife includes marmot, bears, eagles, and moose. Best viewing at Oxbow Bend for birds, wetlands for moose, and National Elk Refuge for elk.
Glacier National Park, Montana - UNESCO site with diverse wildlife and pristine landscapes. Wildlife includes grizzly bears, eagles, and mountain goats. Best viewing at Goat Lick Overlook for mountain goats and Garden Wall for grizzlies.
Denali National Park and Wildlife Preserve, Alaska - Six million acres with Big Five wildlife: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep. Best viewing at Sable Pass for bears, wolves, and caribou.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado - 72 named peaks, spruce and fir forests, alpine tundra. Wildlife includes elk, bighorn sheep, and various bird species. Best viewing at meadows for elk and willow thickets for moose.