My Top 3 Wildlife Encounters From the Road

One of the most frequent questions I get about National Parks is “where can I see bears?” Wildlife is one of my favorite parts of travel, and in the US, where I’ve done the majority of my travels in the past couple years, there is so much wildlife to see, nearly everywhere you turn. From bison to bears, from bald eagles to seagulls, every landscape has its iconic animal residents, and I’ve encountered quite a few unique furry, feathered, and scaly friends over the years. These are my top three wildlife encounters, and where you can see some of the best!

Note: Please do not approach wildlife. Always leave 25 yards of distance between you and a wild animal, unless the animal approaches you. Even then, use caution.

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While not on this list, this one almost made the cut: a deer encounter on a trail in Voyageurs National Park

The Armadillos in Congaree

This is one of my favorite animal encounters I’ve ever had because A) armadillos won’t kill you (unless you lick them—they carry leprosy!) and B) I was with some little cousins of mine and they were completing their first Junior Ranger Program.

In Congaree National Park, South Carolina, there is tons of wildlife to be seen, from snakes, to spiders, to one lone and invasive crocodile. Even if you don’t want to do an extensive hike, you’ll see plenty of unique animals just outside the visitor center on the boardwalk trail. This trip was special because I was looking at everything on the boardwalk from a child’s perspective as I helped my cousins (about 9 and 4 years old) look for animals and plants to check off their Junior Ranger checklist. Toward the end of the boardwalk, we saw quite a few people gathered by the side of the trail, and to our surprise, we noticed 3 armadillos just waddling about! They had gotten really close to the boardwalk, so we were able to safely observe them without disturbing their territory (at Congaree, staying on the boardwalk is key!).

Learn more about Congaree and the other East Coast National Parks HERE!

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While I wasn’t able to get a picture of the Armadillos, here’s a great reason to visit Congaree. To see a video of them, though, head to my Congaree highlight on my Instagram

The Bison in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is ideal for wildlife viewing. Almost nobody visits the park without seeing a bison (or getting caught in a traffic jam—which I’ll explain in a minute). Yellowstone is home to wolves, elk, grizzly bears, bison, and so much more. It truly is the pinnacle of the old American West. If you’re looking to see some incredible wildlife, head out to the park’s Lamar Valley (and if you don’t want to make the trek, don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of animals during your trip).

I only got to spend one night in the park, and stayed at Canyon Campground (which will forever remain one of my favorite campgrounds in the US). On my second day in the area, when I was going to head to Grand Teton National Park, I got up around 6 am, hoping to be on the road before the day’s tourists showed up. I stopped by Artists Point and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and was greeted by one lone bison on the side of the road. This was a cool experience in itself, but I was surprised to turn the corner as I exited the canyon and find a herd of about 20 bison grazing near the road. I stopped to take a picture (from inside my car), and they proceeded to surround me in a classic Yellowstone traffic jam. Talk about morning rush hour! After about five minutes, they dispersed, and the entire time, I was the only one on the road.

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The bison herd in Yellowstone

The Bear in Yosemite

The other stories in this post are just cool, stunning interactions I had with animals, but this one is the reason I always try to tell tourists, “You don’t want to see a bear.” Yosemite is teeming with wildlife. It’s an incredible park full of towering cliffs and animals around every corner, but it’s important to remember that National Parks are not zoos or amusement parks—when we visit National Parks, we are in another creature’s home.

Yosemite is home to black bears. Black bears are slightly less dangerous than brown bears and grizzly bears, which you’ll find in the Rockies (I have seen two grizzlies though, but they were far away). Black bears are small, like the size of a large dog, but since I was visiting in November, they were on the hunt for food, as they were going to be hibernating soon. Because of this, a ranger came around to each site in Upper Pines campground, where I was staying, to tell us what to do if we did encounter a bear in the middle of the night. You’re supposed to say, “bear bear bear Bear Bear BEAR BEAR,” and keep getting louder to scare them off. Of course, you forget all of that when you’re actually faced with a bear.

It was about 10 degrees that night, and I lay in my dad’s old sleeping bag. I was new to tent camping still, and after this trip, I invested in my own 0 degree bag. After the ranger left, we had all gone through our tents and cars (Yosemite bears can break into cars), and since I had nothing in my tent that would smell like food, I felt fairly safe sleeping in active bear country with only a piece of fabric separating me from the outside world.

When camping in bear country, make sure that everything that smells like food is put away in your bear box, bear canister, or bear bag. You can also string your food up in a tree if backpacking. Some parks are less of a worry than others, and you can keep food in your car, but check with a ranger or camp host first.

Around 4 am, I woke up to snarling. Something huge was sniffing at our bear box, which I was camped maybe 10 feet from. I lay still, and quiet—the opposite of what you’re supposed to do, and I swear I remember hearing this bear walk right by me. Holding my breath, I just hoped she would go away, and after a few more seconds of sniffing at the bear box, she ran off into the woods.

It was dark, so I couldn’t snap a picture of the bear, but here’s a reason to visit Yosemite

Wildlife is simply one of the best parts about traveling in the national parks. Every state has such unique animals, and getting to know the nature of each spot is what makes everywhere so special. Check out some of my favorite spots for viewing wildlife below, and start planning your next road trip!

For bison: Badlands National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park

For bears: Shenandoah National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Glacier National Park

For deer: Glacier National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Voyageurs National Park

For lizards and snakes: Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

For interesting insects: Joshua Tree National Park, Congaree National Park, Hot Springs National Park

For big horned sheep: Glacier National Park

For pronghorns: Badlands National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

For mountain goats: Glacier National Park

For elk: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Redwoods National and State Park

For sea life: Olympic National Park, Redwoods National and State Park

If you’re interested in planning a giant trip around the country that includes most of the parks listed here, check out my ebook, Around the States in 90 Days in the SHOP!

10 Reasons You Should Actually Visit the Dakotas

The United States is home to a certain section of the country that Americans like to refer to as “fly-over states.” These are typically states that people don’t see the point in visiting, either because they’re “flat,” “boring,” or, “there’s nothing to see.” Two of the most notable fly-over states are North and South Dakota. North Dakota specifically has a reputation for being the 50th state people visit (to the point where you can get a t-shirt in Fargo that says so).

Well, I might be the first person on Earth to say this, but I disagree with all of the above statements. The Dakotas have tons to offer, from unique, and even dream-like landscapes to incredible wildlife.

Badlands National Park, SD

Here are 10 reasons you should actually visit the Dakotas:

1. They don’t get a lot of tourists

If you’re like me and like to travel like a local, the Dakotas are two fantastic destinations for you. They’re some of the least populated states in the country and all the spots that would normally count as “touristy” had far less people than even other states in this part of the US. The lack of people makes you feel like you’ve discovered some unknown secret, and allows for you to be completely immersed in these northern grassland landscapes without the crowds.

My car/super tiny home in Badlands National Park, SD

2. The wildlife

I’ve seen a lot of North American wildlife in my travels, but the Dakotas had some of the most interesting animals I’ve encountered. From a herd of bison welcoming me to Theodore Roosevelt National Park to sleeping in a prairie dog town in the Badlands, the Dakotas were never disappointing when it came to spotting wildlife in their natural landscapes. I even got to see some pronghorn sheep during a Badland sunrise, which was made even more unique by the fact that I was one of the only people out that early.

Pronghorns in Badlands National Park, SD

3. The grasslands

The Dakotas are some of the only places in the country where you can experience pure, untouched grassland and prairie, and doing so gives you an awesome peek into what the landscape of this country looked like before mass industrialization. I got to spend the night in the Sheyenne National Grassland (where I was one of three campers), and the clear skies and vast prairies that surrounded me gave me an amazing sunset and sunrise.

4. Sunflower farms!

Something that was completely unexpected was North Dakota’s sunflower farms. First of all, they’re everywhere. Second, they’re huge. Third, they’re absolutely gorgeous. When I told people I’d be driving every state in the country, I got “I hope you like cornfields” as a response more often than you’d think, but North Dakota surprised me in incredible ways with its bright yellow rows of sunflowers off the sides of state highways. So, keep an eye out if you’re road tripping these states! Or don’t, you can’t really miss them.

Sheyenne National Grasslands, ND

5. Badlands National Park

You knew I’d be getting to the National Parks at some point. There are actually 3 National Parks across both states, and they’re all on this list, but the one with the most unique and anticipated landscape is Badlands. Located in South Dakota, the Badlands is made up of a mixture of vast grasslands and unique geologic formations. The Badlands is an interesting experience, and the rock formations are best experienced at sunrise and sunset (but I’d recommend sunrise—way less people!), but the park has so much to offer. From backcountry camping that’s allowed anywhere in the park to roaming bison, the Badlands is going to leave you with something to remember. I got to stay in the park’s free campground: Sage Creek, which is technically in the backcountry. The campground was situated in a prairie dog town and was insanely hot during the day, but was fantastic for morning wildlife viewing as I made my way back toward the main road and spotted tons of bison enjoying their breakfast.

Disclaimer: do not feed prairie dogs anywhere you encounter them. They might look cute, but they do bite, and are known to carry bubonic plague in this part of the country.

Badlands National Park, SD

6. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

My personal favorite of the three Dakota National Parks is Theodore Roosevelt. Located in North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt is home to expansive grasslands, rolling hills, and unique wildlife. I was able to hike about 7 miles here, and was super happy to find out that this park is actually dog friendly! The hike I did was called Jones Creek and it took me through 3 separate prairie dog towns, which was so exciting because it allowed me to get close enough to them to enjoy their company without feeling like I was violating their space. Theodore Roosevelt just kind of surprised me when it came to how beautiful of a park it really was, so it’s definitely one that shouldn’t be missed, no matter when you end up making it to the Dakotas.

Disclaimer: while the trail’s proximity to the prairie dog towns does not allow for the Leave No Trace principle of staying 25 yards away from wildlife, please make sure that you’re staying on the trail while hiking in Theodore Roosevelt and any other National Park. This is for the safety of you and the wildlife around you, as well as the conservation of the natural landscape. You can, however, hike freely in Badlands National Park.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

7. Wind Cave National Park

While the elevators into the cave were broken due to a lightning storm when I visited, Wind Cave is still known as one of the country’s oldest National Parks. With barometric winds at the cave’s entrance, Wind Cave is known for its complexity, length, and surrounding intact prairie lands. The park is also home to tons of wildlife, including huge herds of bison, and elk (if you’re lucky enough to spot them).

Me in Wind Cave National Park, SD. This National Park is so close to Wyoming that the pine trees start to appear here, where the grasslands end.

8. These states are unique

I’ve been to nearly every state in the country, and the Dakotas stood out as incredibly unique to me. They didn’t feel like the rest of the Midwest, and they didn’t quite feel like the North either. The Badlands aren’t quite desert, but they look like they almost are. The wildlife seems borrowed from other parts of the country, but they’re actually native. All around, it’s a special feeling being in these Northern states, one that’s almost impossible to describe, but I think the thing is, their landscapes don’t quite feel like they’re part of the United States. The Badlands feel like another, distant country, and the animals feel like they’re something out of a storybook.

Prairie Dog Town in Sage Creek Campground in Badlands National Park, SD

9. Fargo and Mount Rushmore

You’ve probably heard of Fargo from either the movie or the TV show, and saying this town in front of any group of people who aren’t from the Midwest or the North usually prompts a chorus of people trying to pronounce it in that characteristic Northern accent. Fargo is probably one of the most “touristy” parts of these two states because of its recognition in pop culture, but the good news is, you won’t be bombarded by a ton of people in this little Midwestern town.

Mount Rushmore, on the other hand, is known for being one of the most touristy spots in the Dakotas (which is why I actually skipped it during my time there, although I kinda wish I hadn’t). It is managed by the National Park Service, so there is an entry fee, and you can’t get too close to the mountain, but seeing this iconic piece of American history is something worth doing.

10. Clear skies

Both of the National Parks I camped in were in super low light pollution zones, which meant that once the sun went down, I was greeted with amazing views of the stars. If you’re into night sky photography, these parks are great choices for you, and while they aren’t on the list of International Dark Sky Zones, they’re close enough.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Jones Creek Trail, ND

The Dakotas are far more than just fly-over states. They’re home to unique, authentically American landscapes that seem a bit more untouched than other famous landscapes the US has to offer. Here, you can escape the norm, and venture into the unknown by exploring everything from expansive grasslands to Badland rock formations that will make you feel as if you’re on an alien planet (or at least another continent). So, what are you waiting for? The bison and prairie dogs are waiting for you.