Where to Go For Spring Wildlife Viewing

Top destinations for animal sightings this season

If spring sunshine and warm weather make you feel ready to go out and enjoy the day, you’re not alone. And it’s not just people, either. On land and in the water, wildlife activity is seriously ramping up. From migrating whales to newborn bison calves, a spring wildlife viewing trip is a chance to catch them at their most active and playful.

Ready to watch wildlife in action? Here are the best places to go for spring sightings.

• Bar Harbor, ME

  Spring hikes = wildlife all around!

  Bar Harbor serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park, where lower-elevation hiking trails are starting to reopen. Forest animals like deer, foxes, and beavers become more active and easier to spot. And peregrine falcons return to nest along the park’s cliffs. Dawn and dusk are prime viewing times, with the added bonus of catching a glorious sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, typically one of the first spots in the country to see the morning light.

  Out on the water, the wildlife activity is also picking up. Boat tours regularly spot harbor seals sunning on rocks or swimming near shore. You can also watch the migrating whales, on their way back north, or seabirds beginning their nesting activities.

  Spring Wildlife Viewing Guide: seals, whales, seabirds, deer, foxes, beavers, porcupines, hares, peregrine falcons, puffins, porpoises, and the occasional moose

• Big Sky, MT

  Spring wildlife in Yellowstone’s backyard!

  Winter fades, spring steps in, and newborn wildlife starts to emerge across Big Sky’s wide-open valleys and ranges. Bison, elk, and moose calves move through the lower elevations alongside their mothers. Bear cubs romp and play as they come out of hibernation. Bighorn sheep and their lambs graze by the side of the road.

  The easiest way to see Big Sky’s wildlife is through the area’s many hiking trails, which are generally uncrowded in spring. It’s also the perfect way to explore the area’s mountain scenery and rugged beauty. Or take a tour of fan-favorite Yellowstone National Park, where guides can help you spot some of the park’s most famous inhabitants!

  Spring Wildlife Viewing Guide: baby animals! Plus moose, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, black bears, wolves, deer, bald eagles, and mountain goats.

• Key Largo, FL

  Where spring wildlife goes underwater!

  Get ready for reefs and rays, you guys, because spring in Key Largo is all about what’s happening beneath the surface. Snorkelers and scuba divers will love the nearby coral reefs. Located just offshore, they’re absolutely packed with vibrant marine life, including angelfish, parrotfish, stingrays, and sea turtles.

  But the reefs aren’t the only spot for wildlife viewing in Key Largo. Kayak through the mangroves, where you might see manatees and seabirds. Visit the Wild Bird Sanctuary, home to over 100 non-releasable permanent residents alongside those being rehabilitated. At any given time, species could include hawks, owls, pelicans, and more.

  Spring Wildlife Viewing Guide: angelfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, manatees, seabirds, reef sharks, barracuda, hawks, owls, vultures, pelicans, and a playful dolphin or two

• Monterey, CA

  For a real “whale” of a wildlife experience!

  Spring is one of the most active times of year for Monterey’s marine wildlife. Gray whales are migrating through the bay and are often visible from shore, and humpback whales also start appearing. You can watch sea otters feeding, grooming, or just floating in kelp beds. Dolphins and seabirds make their appearances, too. And on land, tidepools along the coastline are filled with starfish, anemones, and smaller crabs.

  If you want to learn more about the area’s marine life, a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must. The million-gallon Open Sea gallery houses everything from hammerhead sharks to sea turtles, while their deep-sea tank offers a glimpse of bioluminescent creatures.

  Spring Wildlife Viewing Guide: gray whales, humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, dolphins, seabirds, starfish, anemones, crabs, and seals with their newborn pups

If you love watching animals in action, this is the season you’re most likely to see them up close! These destinations offer some of the best chances to catch wildlife at their most active moments.

And because you guys would rather be watching animals than wrestling luggage, ship your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. No hauling bags through the airport, no waiting at baggage claim. So you can spend your trip where you really want to: surrounded by nature and wildlife.