Nature and Wildlife in Utah — Wildlife Watching

Antelope Island | Steve Greenwood

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Ways to Enjoy Nature and Wildlife

There isn’t just one way to enjoy nature and wildlife. Lace up your hiking boots, grab your fishing pole, pack your binoculars and get ready to enjoy a plethora of outdoor and wildlife-focused adventures.

Birding

Find the best places to see wild animals in Utah with this guide to top birding sites and viewing areas throughout the state. There’s a lot to see here!
Fall Foliage

See a kaleidoscope of fall colors throughout Utah.
Fishing

Utah has more than 1,000 fishable lakes and numerous fishing streams.
Hiking

From quick jaunts to stunning formations to rugged, multi-day backpacking, there are thousands of miles of great hiking trails throughout Utah.
Horseback Riding

With horseback riding trails throughout Utah, the true splendor and variety of riding opportunities makes Utah an excellent equine enthusiast destination.
Hunting

What’s game in Utah? Hunting wildlife is allowed on most public lands—for game birds, freshwater fish, mule deer, elk, antelope, more. A Utah hunting license is required.
Photography

Pack your favorite lenses and center yourself for a journey to remember.
Utah Wildflowers

Stop and smell the roses, so the saying goes. That may work in the English countryside, but here in the Beehive State, it’s Utah wildflowers that deserve notice.

Wildlife Safety and Outdoor Ethics

Being in Utah’s outdoors means sharing them with wildlife, which may include bears. Respect their home by only observing from a distance. Save human food for humans, ensure pets are within your control and know local fishing, hunting and boating guidelines.

Keep yourself, pets and wildlife safe by observing them from a distance, controlling your pet and never following or approaching wild animals.
Never feed wildlife. Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and can cause them to become aggressive.
Always store your food and trash securely so that wildlife cannot get access to it. In many areas, be bear aware by putting all food and smellables in bear lockers, canisters or a locked vehicle. Keep cooking areas clean and set them up away from your tent where possible.
Know local hunting, fishing and boating regulations for the area you plan to visit. Anyone age 12 and older is required to have a license to fish in Utah. Hunting ages and guidelines vary by permit. Visit wildlife.utah.gov to learn more.
Wild Aware Utah — created by Utah’s Hogle Zoo, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Utah State University Extension — provides Utah residents and visitors with wildlife awareness and safety information.

Prepare for the Conditions

Check the weather before venturing out, but know the weather can rapidly change. Be prepared for a wide mix of conditions. To learn more, visit out Utah weather page.
Be sure to dress appropriately for the conditions, and bring everything you will need to be self-sufficient in remote areas, including a first aid kit, emergency supplies, sun protection, warm clothes and ample food and water.
Prepare for a safe trip by researching possible hazards you may face and learning how to handle them — from flash floods and dangerous weather, to heat stroke and hypothermia.

More tips for responsible travel

"Any time you’re outdoors, you may have the opportunity to see some of the state’s over 600 wildlife species, so keep your eyes peeled."

Arches National Park

Photo: Angie Payne

Capitol Reef National Park

Photo: Andrew Burr

Where to See Wildlife and Nature

In the northern reaches of the state, national forests and wildlife refuges offer incredible opportunities to spot wildlife. In the southern part of the state, check out some of Utah’s world-famous national parks for prime viewing opportunities. In the Southern Utah desert, broiling hot summer temperatures mean many animals are most active at dawn, dusk or nighttime.

A bison grazes along the road to White Rock Bay at Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, is home to a herd of 500 to 700 free-roaming bison.

Photo: Steve Greenwood

National Parks and Forests

In Arches National Park, keep an eye out for lizards, snakes, birds and squirrels during the day, while nighttime offers chances to see kangaroo rats, skunks, ringtails, mountain lions, bobcats, owls and other animals.

Zion National Park is home to a wide array of wildlife with 68 mammal species living there. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, mule deer, foxes, rock squirrels, bats and other animals. To see the full array of wildlife, keep an eye out after dark. Due to the hot summer days, many of Zion National Park’s animal inhabitants are nocturnal and best seen at night. Mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and ringtail cats are just some of the park’s nocturnal residents. During the day, you may even be able to see signs of their nighttime outings, such as tracks and scat.

Utah is also home to several national forests that make for good wildlife viewing, including the very popular Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

State Parks

Utah’s state parks are the perfect place to see a wild variety of wildlife species.

Check out Antelope Island State Park for a chance to see bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, bighorn sheep and countless bird species all along the Great Salt Lake. (Read: Great Salt Lake Needs Your Visit)

Willard Bay State Park is a good spot to spy nesting eagles during the winter.

Wildlife Refuges

Utah is home to three incredible wildlife refuges.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge hosts millions of birds a year, with more than 200 different avian species stopping by.
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in Utah’s West Desert, off the Pony Express National Historical Trail, features 10,000 acres of wetlands and incredible viewing opportunities.
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the desert, and it entices birds from all around.