What are you doing this weekend?
This Saturday, June 11, is National Get Outdoors Day! So we have a mission for you, and all wildlife enthusiasts: turn off the TV, slather on the sunscreen, and get outside to enjoy all this amazing country has to offer. Whether it’s hiking a trail, kayaking a river, climbing a mountain, or just taking a nice walk, getting outside is sure to lift your spirits, and it’s an opportunity to see wildlife big and small. From squirrels to sea lions, birds to bison, every region has its own unique flora and fauna.
Not sure where to go? You can enjoy the outdoors anywhere – from your neighborhood playground to a forest, a wildlife refuge or your own back yard. But if you’re looking for suggestions, we recommend spending some time this weekend in the wild places that belong to all of us.
National Forests
Zimmerman Lake, Arapaho National Forest
The United States is home to gorgeous forests, with ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, canoeing, camping – really just about anything you could want to do outdoors! Because there are so many different types of forests, you can also see all kinds of wildlife, from spotting mountain goats in Washington’s Olympic National Forest, to scanning the skies for peregrine falcons in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. Plus, in recognition of Get Outdoors Day, the Forest Service is waiving all standard amenity fees for visiting national forests on Saturday.
Find the national forest closest to you >
National Wildlife Refuges
Birds at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
What better places to look for wildlife than the lands set aside especially for them? Every major city in the U.S. (and quite a few smaller towns as well) is within driving distance of a national wildlife refuge. Watch colorful collections of birds from roseate spoonbills to great blue herons at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Watch Steller sea lions at Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge; thousands of them gather there each year! Or watch clouds of shorebirds flock to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge to feast on horseshoe crab eggs. Forest, desert, marsh or plains – wherever you live, there’s a special place nearby with wildlife to see.
Find the national wildlife refuge closest to you >
National Parks
Moose in Grand Tetons National Park
National parks are a great opportunity to see some of our country’s most fascinating natural and historical sites. Visit the geysers at Yellowstone, and check out the park’s famous herd of wild bison – the largest one in the U.S.! Take a look at the amazing creatures that live in the desert, from roadrunners to Gila monsters, with a visit to Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. Or see if you can spot a black bear in the Southeast’s famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Find the national park closest to you >
Still not sure where to go? Take a look at some of our team’s favorite wild places across the country. Or find an official National Get Outdoors Day event near you. And wherever you go, if you have photos to share from your trip, we’d love to see them! Share them on Facebook or Twitter, using #GetOutdoors.
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