14 of the Most Extraordinary Animal Encounters in America

I often find myself doom-scrolling through those addictive animal videos online, watching a bear waving or giggling at lazy seals basking in the sun. But then I remember, there are plenty of insanely unique animal encounters waiting for me right here in the US.

From the coast to the mountains, and even in our own backyards, these are the best animal encounters in the US just a road trip away.

1. Swimming with Manatees, Crystal River, Florida

I may have hand-fed manatees in Guyana and swam with them in Mexico’s cenotes, but Crystal River is the only place in the US where it’s legal to swim with these threatened-status creatures.

These slow-moving sea cows, as they’re affectionately called, weigh up to 1,200 pounds but are as gentle as can be. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees migrate to seek the warmth of the river’s natural springs.

Guides will take you into the clear, spring-fed waters of Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs in beautiful Florida, where you can snorkel and float next to these curious giants.

2. Grizzly Bear Viewing, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Deep in the Alaskan wilderness, the remote Katmai National Park has more grizzly bears than humans, which should tell you something about the wildlife experience here.

This park is famous for Brooks Falls, where you’ll see massive grizzlies plucking salmon straight from the rushing waters. Hundreds of bears descend on this spot every summer, and with more than 2,000 brown bears in the area, it’s one of the best places in the world for bear viewing.

Pro tip: visiting in July or September gives you the best chance at seeing the action.

3. Diving with Manta Rays, Big Island, Hawaii

Diving with manta rays is one of the most surreal, tear-inducingly beautiful things you can see underwater. Since my first experience, I’ve dived with these gentle giants of the sea five more times, and it never gets old.

Off the coast of the Big Island, the Kona Coast is world-famous for manta ray encounters. You’ll descend into the ocean at night and watch as massive manta rays with wingspans up to 20 feet glide gracefully above you.

No need to be a diver either; many visitors snorkel and see just as well. You won’t believe how close these gentle giants get!

4. Bison Herds, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone isn’t just about geysers. It’s also home to North America’s largest wild bison population, with over 5,000 bison roaming free.

Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are prime spots to watch these beasts. However, at some point during your visit, you’ll probably find yourself being stuck in traffic on Yellowstone’s main roads by a herd crossing.

They weigh over a ton but move with surprising agility. While they look calm, they’re wild animals, so don’t get too close for that selfie.

5. Wolf Watching, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone

The wolves of Yellowstone are most often spotted in Lamar Valley, but a sighting is far from guaranteed. Wolves were reintroduced here in the mid-1990s, and now there are around 100 roaming the park.

Lamar Valley’s wide-open spaces allow visitors to see these elusive predators as they hunt in packs or care for their young. The park’s guides are experts at tracking the wolves’ movements, so taking a tour can increase your chances.

6. Sea Lion Colonies, La Jolla, San Diego, California

Just outside San Diego, La Jolla’s sea lions are the local celebrities. I would never imagine you could be merely a yard away from these billowing, fishy-smelling giants. These sunbathing creatures have taken over the rocky shores and docks, barking at each other and occasionally making eye contact with curious onlookers.

You can walk right up to the cliffs and watch them lounging, swimming, or squabbling over a prime sunbathing spot. Just don’t get too close; sea lions may look cute, but they’re wild animals and can be unpredictable.

7. Bat Colony Nightly Flight, Austin, Texas

Every evening from March to November, more than 1.5 million bats take flight from under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. This bat colony is the largest urban bat colony in North America, and watching them emerge at dusk is a uniquely Austin experience.

The bats spiral into the sky in a mesmerizing cloud, heading out to feast on insects. Watching the swarm is another level of amazing, and really makes you appreciate how cool Mother Earth really is.

8. Wild Horse Sighting, Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia Border

On Assateague Island, wild horses roam free along the beaches. These horses, known as the Chincoteague and Assateague ponies, have lived here for centuries, and no one’s quite sure how they got to this barrier island.

You’ll find them grazing on marsh grasses or trotting along the coastline, completely unbothered by human visitors. They’re wild, so no petting, but they sure make for incredible photos.

9. Grey Whale Migration, Pacific Coast

Twice a year, grey whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling over 12,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico. Along nearly the entirety of the Pacific Coast, you can spot these whales heading south in the winter or returning north in the spring.

The best spots for viewing include California’s Big Sur, Oregon’s Depoe Bay, and Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Grey whales are known for breaching and spy hopping. Whale watching tours are the best way to get up close, but sometimes, you can even see them from shore.

10. Alligator Spotting, Southern Swamps

The swamps of Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida are not strangers to alligators. These ancient reptiles have been around for millions of years and still rule the waterways.

I crossed off my bucket list item of seeing alligators from an airboat, but there are many different swamp tours gliding silently through the murky water. Gator sightings are almost guaranteed on any boat tour, and the guides love to share fun facts about these prehistoric creatures.

11. Elk Rutting Season, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Autumn in the Rockies means elk rutting season. Male elk let out eerie, high-pitched bugles to attract females and intimidate other males.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to witness this seasonal spectacle, where massive bull elk strut through the meadows, competing for attention. The park’s fall foliage adds to the experience.

You’ll also want to keep your distance, as the males can be more aggressive at this time.

12. Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Hawaii

I almost equate Hawaii with swimming with the sea turtles, with these gentle giants resting casually on beaches or poking their heads out on the ocean.

Snorkeling with these gentle creatures is a must; there are great places in almost every island to see them.

Green sea turtles, known as honu in Hawaiian, glide effortlessly through the water, often coming up for air right next to snorkelers. They’re peaceful and protected, so touching or bothering them is absolutely illegal.

13. Puffin Watching, Acadia National Park, Maine

In the rocky cliffs near Acadia National Park, you can find one of America’s most colorful seabirds: the puffin. These little birds, with their bright orange beaks, come to Maine’s coastal islands to nest in the summer.

They spend most of their lives at sea, so getting to see them on land is a treat. Take a boat tour to one of the nesting islands, and you’ll see them dive for fish or waddle around the rocks.

14. Prairie Dog Towns, Great Plains

Prairie dogs are some of the most social—and noisy—animals you’ll come across in the Great Plains. These little critters live in massive underground colonies, and they’re constantly popping in and out of their burrows to survey the land and chat with their neighbors.

You can find large prairie dog towns in national parks like Badlands and Wind Cave in South Dakota. Watching their antics, from cutely standing sentry to playing tag, is oddly entertaining.

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