United States

North America

Mar 6

Written By Kristen Ruth Smith

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Wildlife and Birding from Florida to Alaska

From the humpback wales off the shores of Alaska to the gators of the Everglades, the vast wildlife of the United States is a treasure trove of wildlife and birding opportunities, offering something for every nature enthusiast. Across all 50 states, travelers can witness an extraordinary diversity of species—from grizzly bears roaming the wilds of the Rockies, to wild horses galloping across Nevada’s high deserts, to manatees gliding through the warm waters of the Gulf Coast.

Birders will delight in spotting everything from puffins on the cliffs of Maine to colorful warblers during spring migrations across the Midwest. Whether you’re scanning the skies for bald eagles in the Pacific Northwest or watching sea turtles nest along the beaches of the Southeast, the vast landscapes of the U.S. are alive with unforgettable encounters that celebrate the richness of the natural world.

Some of our most popular trips in the U.S.

Alaska
California
Florida
Nebraska
North Dakota & Montana
Texas Winter Birding
Washington State
Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

We have trips available across all 50 states! Learn More >

Sample Natural History Trips Across the U.S.

WILD ALASKA
The Land of the Midnight Sun

Alaska – the name alone brings vast untamed wilderness to mind! With soaring mountains, rich oceans and a diversity of terrestrial habitats, Alaska is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Entire intact ecosystems and uninterrupted migration routes stretch across this huge state. Nowhere in North America can you observe as many large mammals as in Alaska and during the long days of late spring and early summer the numbers of breeding birds are staggering.

We travel in early June to take advantage of the breeding season and also because the numbers of mosquitoes and black flies are much lower than later in the summer. We visit many of Alaska’s greatest wildlife areas to maximize our chances of seeing the greatest diversity possible.

In the shadow of the highest peak on the continent, Denali National Park will offer us our first chance at moose, caribou, grizzly, Dall sheep, loons, ptarmigan, ducks and perhaps wolves. With luck the clouds will part and the majestic glaciers of Mt. McKinley will glisten against the blue sky. Further south, Kenai Fjords National Park will hopefully yield an abundance of seabirds and marine mammals while the Katmai coast will see us trekking for brown bears.

We also offer an exciting and wildlife-filled post-trip extension to Nome. The tundra and boreal forests around Nome are home to an incredible assemblage of breeding birds and Arctic wildlife including musk ox, bristle-thighed curlew and bluethroat.

Day 1 –Home City to Gateway City and on to Fairbanks, Alaska
Day 2 –Fairbanks to Denali National Park
Day 3 –Denali National Park
Day 4 – Alaska Railroad from Denali to Talkeetna
Day 5 –Talkeetna to Anchorage
Day 6 –Anchorage to Seward
Day 7 –Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 8 –Seward to Homer and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Day 9 –Flight to Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park – Brown Bear Viewing
Day 10 –Homer to Anchorage and the Winner Creek Trail
Day 11 –Anchorage to Nome
Day 12 –The Nome – Teller Road
Day 13 –The Nome – Council Road
Day 14 –The Nome – Kougarok Road
Day 15 –Nome to Anchorage
Day 16 –Anchorage to Gateway City and Home

YELLOWSTONE & THE GRAND TETONS
Picos de Europa & the Pyrenees

Welcome to an unforgettable journey through the untamed landscapes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, where every day brings a new encounter with nature's wonders. Begin your adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Grand Tetons. As we explore Grand Teton National Park, expect to marvel at herds of bison grazing against a backdrop of crystalline lakes and rugged mountains. Keep an eye out for elusive predators like wolves and grizzly bears, embodying the wild spirit of the American West.

The thrill of rafting the Snake River offers glimpses of bald eagles soaring overhead and ospreys nesting along its shores. Yellowstone National Park, unveils the geothermal marvels of the Upper Geyser Basin, including the iconic eruption of Old Faithful. As we venture deeper into Yellowstone's heart, the vivid landscapes of Midway and Lower Geyser Basins contrast with the tranquil beauty of Madison River and the ethereal terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.

We then drop into the untamed beauty of Lamar Valley, known as America's Serengeti for its thriving wildlife population, including pronghorn antelope and the iconic herds of bison roaming freely near the beauty of Yellowstone Lake and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.

Day 1: Home Cities to Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park
Day 3: Rafting the Snake River and Grand Teton National Park
Day 4: Yellowstone NP: Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful
Day 5: Yellowstone: Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, Madison River and north to Mammoth Hot Springs
Day 6: Mammoth Hot Springs to Roosevelt/Lamar Valley
Day 7: The Lamar Valley and the Beartooth Mountains in Montana
Day 8: The Lamar and Hayden Valleys and Mt. Washburn
Day 9: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake and on to Jackson Hole
Day 10: Jackson Hole to our Gateway City and home

Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.

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