Lets explore the 10 best National Parks for bird watching. Each of these parks provide unique opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitats. From coastal sanctuaries to alpine wilderness, each park should be on every bird enthusiasts bucket list!
While Brad is the avid birder in our family, some of my favorite memories in National Parks were spontaneous bird encounters. I vividly recall laughing at the roadrunner in a Big Bend parking lot happily picking insects off car grills for lunch. I was in awe of the giant condors riding the winds above our campsite in Pinnacles. And the giant black raven guarding a Bryce Canyon overlook, like he owned the place, was quite intimidating.
Bird watching in U.S. National Parks is an incredible way to experience nature. With over 800 bird species across the country, National Parks provide a rare sanctuary for both resident and migratory birds. Our list of the best parks for birders offers some of the best bird watching experiences in the country. Whether you’re hoping to see majestic raptors, colorful songbirds, or elusive waterfowl, you won’t be disappointed.
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1. Everglades National Park (Florida)
This subtropical wetland is home to some of the most striking wading birds in North America. And with miles of water trails and ponds it’s pretty easy to find a place where you will spot one of these gorgeous creatures. Land birds and birds of prey are also present and enjoying an abundance of food sources in the Everglades.
Notable Birds: Roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great egret, anhinga, white ibis.
Best Time to Visit: December–April (dry season) when birds congregate in shrinking water pools.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Anhinga Trail, Paurotis Pond, Eco Pond.
Tips: Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens; consider an airboat tour for a unique bird watching perspective.
For ideas on where to discover wildlife and things to do, check out our Everglades National Park Itinerary.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
This park is a hotspot for songbirds. The dense forest of the Smokies is an ideal habitat for spring nesting and for finding food. You’ll probably hear more birds than you’ll actually see once the trees leaf out for summer. Try the Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab, a free app, to help you identify who is singing! We had a lot of fun with that app last spring.
Notable Birds: Cerulean warbler, black-throated blue warbler, peregrine falcon.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer for nesting birds.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, Deep Creek.
Tips: Visit early in the morning for the best chance of spotting songbirds.
Waking up to bird songs is one of my greatest joys, so check out our guide to the Campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I’d also suggest trying a few more remote hikes like our Hike to Hen Wallow Falls where birds aren’t frightened by the crowds.
3. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana/Idaho)
Yellowstone National Park is home to several diverse landscapes so it supports a mix of raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds. Almost 1/2 of the 300 species that have been identified in the park nest and start their families in Yellowstone. Many of these will migrate on as summer approaches so spring in Yellowstone is an amazing time for birdwatchers.
Notable Birds: Trumpeter swan, sandhill crane, bald eagle, osprey.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall migrations.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone Lake.
Tips: Spotting scopes are helpful for viewing birds from a distance.
To find a few spots to avoid the crowds and increase your chance of spotting unique birds, check out these 4 easy uncrowded hikes and these 5 places we find solitude in Yellowstone. And just like in the Smokies, early morning is the best time to hear bird songs, so check out our Yellowstone Campground Guide.
4. Acadia National Park (Maine)
Acadia’s blend of coastal and forested environments attracts a variety of bird species. And this park is on a major migration route for many waterfowl and seabirds. Acadia is a very accessible park with easy to navigate trails making it friendly for almost anyone who want to scope out all the birds!
Notable Birds: Bald eagle, common eider, Atlantic puffin, warblers.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer for nesting seabirds and songbirds.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, Schoodic Peninsula.
Tips: Take a boat tour to see puffins and other seabirds up close.
Our Guide to Acadia for the First Time Visitor is a great place to start if you want to check out all the diverse locations in this Atlantic Ocean based park!
5. Big Bend National Park (Texas)
Big Bend National Park definitely surprised us with the variety of very active birds. We expected this hot desert park to be stark! But no… over 450 bird species have been spotted in this park making it one of the best National Parks for bird watching. However, not a surprise, most move as the park heats up in the summer and only 50ish species can be found year round. Because of it’s far Southern location you’ll also find Latin American birds, like the Mexican Jay and the Golden Fronted Woodpecker, in Big Bend that aren’t found any further North.
Notable Birds: Colima warbler, painted bunting, zone-tailed hawk.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall migrations.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, Sam Nail Ranch.
Tips: Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as desert temperatures can be extreme.
You’ll need to take a few hikes if you want to encounter many birds. We found a little oasis which attracted birds on the short hike to Sam Nail Ranch. Or try a longer day hike like the South Rim Trail for more diversity.
6. Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska)
The pristine wilderness of Denali provides a habitat for over 160 bird species. While many are migratory birds, like Robins and Golden Eagles, there are also a few hardy birds that live her year around. We enjoyed a good laugh watching a permanent resident, the Ptarmigan, and her chicks searching for bugs in the grass near our campsite. Gyrfalcon and the Northern Hawk Owl are unique birds that thrive in the Alaskan winters. Unless you are an adventurous back country hiker, the best way to see a variety of birds is to take one of the bus tours deep into the park.
Notable Birds: Gyrfalcon, willow ptarmigan, golden eagle.
Best Time to Visit: Summer, when birds are most active.
Top Bird Watching Spots: River valleys, tundra meadows.
Tips: Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
We took several short hikes near the Savage River, which is a good starting place for bird watching if you don’t want to go deep into the park. You might also enjoy our ideas on things to do in Denali if it rains, because it will rain!
Bird Watching Tips for National Parks
Bring the Right Gear
- Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars will go far in helping you spot birds from a distance. Need new binoculars? Check out our detailed guide to nature binoculars.
- Field Guide or Birding App: A regional bird guide like National Geographic’s North America Field Guide or an app like Merlin Bird ID or eBird can help you identify species by appearance and sound.
- Camera with Zoom Lens (Optional): If you enjoy photographing birds, a camera with a zoom lens (at least 300mm) will help you capture details from afar. iPhone cameras just don’t cut it with the distance.
- Appropriate Hiking Gear: Be prepared to safely hike to discover more birds in the park. That means plenty of water and the 10 essentials. You can find our hiking gear checklist here.
- Track What You See!: Our National Park Journal has plenty of room to track all the birds and other wildlife you see in the parks.
Best Times to Birdwatch
- Early Morning & Late Afternoon: Birds are most active during these times, as they are foraging for food.
- Spring & Fall Migration: Many species travel thousands of miles during migration, making these seasons prime time for spotting a variety of birds, including rare species.
- Breeding Season (Spring to Early Summer): This is when birds are nesting, singing, and displaying their most vibrant colors.
Where to Look for Birds
- Edges of Habitats: Birds are often found at the transition between two ecosystems, such as where a forest meets a meadow or a wetland borders a woodland.
- Water Sources: Lakes, rivers, and marshes attract waterfowl and shorebirds.
- Tree Canopies: Many songbirds, such as warblers and tanagers, are best spotted by looking up into trees.
- Open Areas: Raptors often soar above canyons, mountain ridges, and open plains searching for prey.
Respecting Wildlife
- Keep Your Distance: Use binoculars or a zoom lens instead of getting too close. Avoid disturbing nests or chasing birds.
- Stay on Marked Trails: Many bird habitats are fragile. Sticking to trails helps protect nesting areas and prevents habitat destruction.
- Silence is Golden: Speak in hushed tones or not at all. Sudden movements and loud noises can scare birds away.
- Avoid Feeding Wildlife: Feeding birds human food can be harmful to their health and disrupt natural behaviors.
Utilize Park Resources
- Join a Ranger-Led Birding Walk: Park Rangers are our favorite source of information. Many national parks offer guided birdwatching hikes with experts who can help you spot and identify birds.
- Check Park Visitor Centers: Rangers often provide bird lists, maps, and updates on recent sightings.
7. Olympic National Park (Washington)
Olympic National Park has 3 distinct eco-systems, each with their own birding habitats. So as you can imagine you’ll find a wide variety of birds as you explore the old-growth rainforest, the rugged coastline and the glacial mountains.
Why It’s Great: With rainforest, coastline, and alpine regions, Olympic supports a wide variety of birds.
Notable Birds: Marbled murrelet, northern pygmy owl, tufted puffin.
Best Time to Visit: Spring to summer.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Hoh Rain Forest, coastal areas, Hurricane Ridge.
Tips: Bring waterproof gear and explore different habitats for diverse sightings.
8. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite parks for birding. Here you’ll find many spaces loved by birds that are easily accessible such as Sprague Lake, the Alpine Visitor Center, and the open fields of the Kawuneeche Valley. Many high-altitude species thrive in this alpine environment while the thick forests and lakes are the perfect home for others.
Notable Birds: Golden eagle, Clark’s nutcracker, mountain bluebird.
Best Time to Visit: Summer, when birds are most active.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road.
Tips: Acclimate to the altitude before setting out on long hikes.
If you are headed to Rocky Mountain National Park for a bit of bird watching, check out our detailed guides to this park where we share our best tips for exploring here.
9. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
During migration, the Grand Canyon is one busy place for our avian friends. Over 450 species have been spotted in this park making it one of the busiest spots for bird watching in the spring and fall. Of course the dramatic cliffs and deep canyons provide ideal nesting areas for raptors and you can enjoy watching them soar over the canyon any season.
Notable Birds: California condor, peregrine falcon, canyon wren.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall.
Top Bird Watching Spots: South Rim, North Rim.
Tips: Bring a spotting scope for distant views of birds soaring over the canyon.
You’ll find ideas on where to start in your Grand Canyon adventure in 4 Things to Do in The Grand Canyon in 1/2 Day.
10. Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii)
This volcanic park is home to some of Hawaii’s rarest endemic birds. Many endangered songbirds native to Hawaii, like the Hawaiian honeycreeper, make their home in the park. It’s great fun to hear their songs and see their colorful plumes as you explore this gorgeous park.
Notable Birds: Hawaiian honeycreepers, Nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
Best Time to Visit: Winter for migratory birds, summer for endemic species.
Top Bird Watching Spots: Haleakalā crater, forested areas.
Tips: Respect local conservation efforts to protect fragile bird populations.
These U.S. National Parks offer some of the best bird watching opportunities in the world. We’ve selected 10 of our favorites as the best National Parks for bird watching but you’ll find unique birds in all of our National Parks.
Whether your an avid birder, like my husband, or a novice, like me, birdwatching in national parks is an amazing experience. Following these tips will help you have a more enjoyable and successful birding adventure. Grab your binoculars, pack your field guide, and get ready for an unforgettable birdwatching journey in America’s stunning National Parks!
