The Top US National Parks for Wildlife Are Not Where You’d Expect

Hi Matador readers,

I’ve mostly structured my career around my interests—outdoor travel and recreation, parks and wildlife, and conservation, among other topics. So I was surprised by a recent analysis of the best national parks for wildlife spotting, based on official National Park Service data. The two parks I expected to top the list—Glacier and Yellowstone—barely made the top 10. But there’s a good reason for that. And now, after reading it, I’m seriously considering planning a southern national parks road trip…

See you out there,

Suzie Dundas, Commissioning editor

My To-Do List This Month

Like the birds and the bees in spring, April gets busy

Outdoor

Uncover new ways to explore your world.

California's Epic Fern Canyon Trail Feels Like Traveling Back in Time

This prehistoric-feeling, otherworldly trail is so unique, it's earned a place on the big screen—most notably, as a backdrop for The Lost World: Jurassic Park. I hiked the northern California natural wonder, defined by 60-foot walls blanketed in dense, emerald ferns. Here's how to visit and why it's best in the spring and fall, not summer.

Are Wolves Worth the Cost? The American West’s New Wildlife Dilemma.

I traveled to Wyoming and Montana in last August and spoke with more than a dozen experts and locals on the ground, including biologists, tour guides, and park officials. Here's why releasing wolves into Yellowstone National Park 30 years ago was so controversial—and what it's like to be part of the $80 million wolf-watching industry today.

Breakfast With Elephants and Sleeping Under the Stars in Kenya

When I stay somewhere so fantastic that I just want to hang out at the hotel (and with the hotel staff) all day, that’s a special place. That was the case during my recent stay at Soroi Larsen’s Camp, a boutique tented hotel on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Kenya’s less-visited Samburu National Reserve.

Bryce Canyon Vs. Zion National Parks: Which Park Is Right for You?

It’s no secret that Utah is home to some of the most gorgeous national parks in the country, as well as some of the most gorgeous sites that aren’t technically national parks, but are managed by the federal government. If you’re short on time, I’ve broken down which park is best for you based on your interests.

US National Parks Just Broke a Visitation Record

And it's going to be a huge problem this summer. The National Park Service (NPS) reported a record-breaking 331.9 million visits in 2024—equivalent to nearly every American visiting an NPS site. Nearly 30 national parks shattered individual records, and 38 parks exceeded their 10-year monthly average.

Your Weekly Gear Guide

Discover our favorite travel essentials.

EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH MATADOR

FOLLOW US HERE