There's something magical about capturing striking images of wildlife through the lens of a camera. The thrill of finding and observing animals in their natural habitat, the patience required to get the perfect shot, and the sheer joy of viewing the world from a different perspective make wildlife photography a deeply rewarding hobby. I’ve spent countless hours photographing wildlife and it’s an activity that I never get bored of. There’s simply always something new and exciting waiting around every corner.

There are plenty of world-class wildlife photography destinations throughout the globe and some of them might not be quite as far away from home as you might think. The United States, with its many diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife populations, offers a plethora of stunning destinations for photographers to explore. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the top 10 U.S. destinations for wildlife photography, each offering unique opportunities to capture the beauty of wild animals in their natural habitats.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Why It's Great: Katmai National Park is a paradise for wildlife photographers, renowned for its very large and healthy populations of brown bears. Every summer, these majestic creatures gather at the iconic Brooks Falls to feast on salmon, providing incredible photo opportunities. The sight of a bear catching a leaping salmon mid-air is a shot every wildlife photographer dreams of capturing. And there are plenty of other world-class photo opportunities beyond the falls themselves. Photographers will be able to capture stunning brown bears and other wildlife images throughout the park in a variety of settings.

Iconic Species:

• Brown Bears: The star attraction, particularly during the salmon run.

• Salmon: Their migration upstream is a spectacle in itself and the backbone of this ecosystem.

• Bald Eagles: Often seen fishing in rivers alongside the bears.

• Sea Otters: Playful and curious, often found in the park’s coastal areas.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: Here at BCJ, we run many trips in Katmai National Park. In fact, it’s one of our absolute favorite wildlife destinations on earth. If you’d like to join us on an upcoming photography workshop then be sure to check out our many brown bear trips in Alaska including our popular Brooks Falls, Brooks Lodge, and our backcountry camping trips including our Beyond Brooks, and Katmai Coastworkshops! Although all these workshops visit this world-class destination, they all feature their own unique elements and itineraries.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho

Why It's Great: Yellowstone, America's first national park, is a haven for wildlife photographers. Its diverse landscapes, from geysers to forests, provide a backdrop for a wide range of species. The park's geothermal features and stunning vistas enhance the photographic experience, offering opportunities to capture wildlife in dramatic settings.

Iconic Species:

• Bison: Often found in large herds grazing in the park's valleys.

• Elk: Frequently seen in meadows and along riverbanks.

• Grizzly Bears: Best spotted in the northern regions of the park.

• Wolves: Reintroduced in the 1990s, now thriving and often seen in the Lamar Valley.

• Black Bears: Seen throughout the park and their cubs put on quite the show every spring.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: We offer many incredible throughout to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and many of them visit all of the best locations in Yellowstone National Park. Be sure to check out all of the trips featured in the Rocky Mountain Region to view any upcoming departures visiting Yellowstone!

Denali National Park, Alaska

Why It's Great: Denali's vast wilderness is home to North America's tallest peak and an abundance of wildlife. The park’s open tundra and forested areas offer excellent opportunities for spotting animals. The changing seasons dramatically transform the landscape, providing a variety of environments and backdrops for your wildlife photography.

Iconic Species:

• Brown Bears: Often seen foraging in open tundra areas.

• Caribou: Large herds roam the park’s plains.

• Dall Sheep: Frequently spotted on rocky cliffs.

• Moose: Common in the park’s wetlands and forests.

• Golden Eagles: Majestic birds often seen soaring above the park.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: If you’d like to join Backcountry Journeys on an epic photography adventure into the heart of Alaska, definitely check out our Interior Alaska, Denali & Prince William Soundtrip!

The Everglades, Florida

Why It's Great: The Everglades is an incredibly unique ecosystem teeming with life. Its wetlands, mangroves, and sawgrass marshes are perfect for capturing a wide variety of bird species, reptiles, and more. The vast, open landscapes provide excellent settings and environments for wildlife photography, and the reflections in the water can add a magical element to your shots.

Iconic Species:

• American Alligators: Ancient residents of the Everglades, often seen basking in the sun.

• Great Blue Herons: Graceful and frequently seen hunting in the wetlands.

• Roseate Spoonbills: Striking pink birds that add a splash of color to your photos.

• Manatees: Gentle giants often found in the park’s warm waters.

• American Crocodiles: Less common but occasionally spotted in brackish areas.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: At BCJ we’ve been running annual trips to the Everglades for years and we’re constantly amazed by the sheer number of great wildlife shots captured on these trips. Check out our Birds and Wildlife of the Evergladesworkshop to learn more!

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Why It's Great: Lake Clark offers a stunning combination of volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, and pristine waters. It's one of the best places in the world to photograph brown bears in their natural environments and the sheer number of stunning backdrops in every direction makes this place truly unique. The park’s remote and rugged beauty provides a perfect setting for capturing dramatic wildlife scenes.

Iconic Species:

• Brown Bears: Seen foraging and fishing for salmon in rivers and streams.

• Salmon: 5 different species populate these waters and support the ecosystem.

• Caribou: Large herds roam the park’s plains.

• Dall Sheep: Frequently spotted on rocky cliffs.

• Moose: Common in the park’s wetlands and forests.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: At Backcountry Journeys we have multiple wildlife focused trips that frequently visit Lake Clark National Park including our very popular Great Alaskan Bear Safari. This is an epic and unparalleled brown bear trip you won’t find anywhere else.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Why It's Great: The rugged peaks of the Teton Range provide a breathtaking backdrop for wildlife photography to say the least. The park's diverse habitats, from alpine meadows to river valleys, support a wide range of healthy animal populations just waiting to be photographed. And of course, the many dramatic lighting conditions, especially during sunrise and sunset, add a magical quality to your photos.

Iconic Species:

• Grizzly Bears: Roaming the entirety of the park from high alpine meadows to sagebrush planes.

• Elk: Commonly seen in large herds throughout the landscape and in the Elk Refuge in the winter.

• Moose: Often found in wetland areas and willow thickets.

• Black Bears: Frequently spotted foraging in forested areas.

• Pronghorn: Graceful and often seen in open grasslands.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: Here at BCJ, we absolutely love the Tetons and we run many trips to this incredible destination throughout the year. Be sure to check out the trips in the Rocky Mountain Region on our website to see a full list but when it comes to wildlife specifically, it’s hard to beat our Bull Moose Workshop!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Why It's Great: The Smokies are renowned for their biodiversity and stunning scenery. The park's misty forests, rolling mountains, and lush meadows are ideal for capturing images of wildlife in their natural settings. The diversity of plant life and the changing seasons also provide a constantly evolving landscape for photography.

Iconic Species:

• Black Bears: Commonly seen in the park’s forests and meadows.

• Wild Turkeys: Frequently seen foraging in meadows.

• Elk: Reintroduced in the park, now thriving in the Cataloochee Valley.

• White-Tailed Deer: Often found grazing in open areas.

• Salamanders: The park is home to a remarkable variety of these amphibians.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: If you’re looking for a world-class photography trip with great wildlife opportunities in the Eastern United States, then you need to check out our Great Smoky Mountainsworkshops that run both in the springand fall.

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

Why It's Great: Bosque Del Apache is a birdwatcher’s paradise, particularly famous for its stunning fall migrations. The refuge's wetlands attract thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese, creating a spectacular display. The vast flocks of birds and the serene landscape make for dramatic and dynamic photography.

Iconic Species:

• Sandhill Cranes: Thousands gather during the winter months.

• Snow Geese: Their synchronized flights create mesmerizing patterns in the sky.

• Bald Eagles: Often seen hunting in the refuge’s wetlands.

• Various Waterfowl: Ducks, herons, and other water birds abound.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: If you’d like to explore and photograph the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and photograph the thousands of migrating birds in this beautiful destination, then be sure to check out our Bosque Del Apache & White Sandsworkshop!

Glacier National Park, Montana

Why It's Great: Glacier's rugged mountains and pristine lakes offer spectacular scenery that’s teeming with abundant wildlife. The park's remote wilderness is perfect for capturing stunning shots of animals in untouched mountain environments. The dramatic landscapes, from alpine meadows to dense forests, provide endless opportunities for stunning wildlife photography.

Iconic Species:

• Mountain Goats: Often seen navigating the park’s steep cliffs.

• Grizzly Bears: Frequently spotted in open meadows and along trails.

• Bighorn Sheep: Common in rocky, alpine areas.

• Black Bears: Commonly seen in the park’s forests and meadows.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: Whether you’re looking to photograph the countless landscapes of Glacier or the animals that call them home, we offer many world-class photography trips to one of America’s most beautiful national parks. Check out the Rocky Mountains Region on our website to see a full list.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Why It's Great: Kenai Fjords National Park is a stunning combination of glaciers, fjords, and abundant marine wildlife. The park's remote and rugged beauty provides a perfect backdrop for capturing dramatic wildlife scenes and the diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems offer unique opportunities for photographers.

Iconic Species:

• Humpback Whales: Frequently seen breaching in the park’s waters.

• Orcas: Often spotted hunting in the fjords.

• Sea Otters: Playful and curious, commonly seen floating in the kelp beds.

• Puffins: Charismatic seabirds nesting on the rocky cliffs.

• Bald Eagles: Frequently seen soaring above the park.

Visit with Backcountry Journeys: If you’d like to witness an astounding abundance of marine wildlife in one of the most beautiful places on earth, then be sure to check out our Marine Wildlife of Alaskaworkshop!

Conclusion

These top 10 destinations spread throughout the United States offer unparalleled opportunities for wildlife photography, each with its unique charm and list of iconic wildlife species. Whether you're capturing the majesty of a grizzly bear in Alaska or the delicate beauty of a heron in the Everglades, these locations provide the perfect canvas for an epic wildlife photography adventure. So, pack your camera, embrace the wild, and embark on a journey to capture the incredible diversity of America's wildlife. Your next great photo is just one trip away!

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you on the next one!

Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.

When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.

At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.

Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.

Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.

You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com