You don’t have to fly all the way to the AfricanSerengetito see wildliferoam freelyor risk life and limb trekking solo in Montana or Alaska to catch a glimpse of mountain lions, buffalo, elk, or grizzly bears. There are places where you can experience these majestic and wildanimalsin a way that’s responsible for both you and the creatures in settings thatare also safe and family friendly.
Montana
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center,West Yellowstone
Locatednear the west entrance ofYellowstone National Park, the nonprofit ($15 for admission)is open year-round for those who want a guaranteed look atthe animalsin their natural habitat. It has amuseum that examines the role of the two species in the park’s history,a cabinwhere you can safely watch wolves, and habitats for raptors and rescued grizzly bears. The facility alsooffers safetyseminars, likehow to use bear spray, and naturalist-led programs for children,such as Keeper Kids, which covers feeding habits.
California
Safari West,Santa Rosa
Want to spot buffalos, cheetahs, and rhinosan hour north of San Francisco? Head to, a 400-acre privately owned wildlife preserve nicknamed the Sonoma Serengetidue to its location in the middle of Californiawine country. By day, walk the grounds with a naturalist, or take guided driving tours in vintageopen-air Dodge Power Wagons, to see some 90 species of animals. By night, sleep in high-end safari tents imported from Botswana (from $375). The on-site Savannah Café serves South African–inspired BBQ on a wood-fired grill.
Alaska
Park Creek Bear Tours, Juneau
The 75-mile-long Chichagof Island, west ofJuneau, has one of the highest populations of bears per square mile in the world. Book a tour with (from $739) and join a small group (up to five people) for a half- or full-day tour that begins with a bush-plane flightfrom the Juneau airport. Half-day tours headto the island’s Waterfall Creek, where bears feast in late summer during the salmon run, while the full-day option takes you to Pack Creek onAdmiralty Island, with a possible interpretive hike through thewilderness. Back in the capital city, stay at the low-key (from $129), where staff can recommend other adventure tours.
Virginia
Breaks Interstate Park,Breaks
Called the Grand Canyon of the South,, on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, is home to a five-mile-long gorge that drops 1,650 feet to the Russell Fork River. A few years ago, elk were released in the area as part of a reintroduction program sponsored by the local chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Shortly after,the park began offering ($35 for adults, $12 for children) from March through May and August through October. Spend the day touring the 5,000-acre plot of land where the animals graze. Thenpitch a tent, stay in one ofthe park’s many cabins, or book a night atthe81-room lodge and enjoythe park’s 25 miles of trails, including a 12-mile mountain-bike loop.
Colorado
Wild Animal Sanctuary,Keenesburg
You can find wolves, grizzly bears, tigers, and lionsamongsome 500 large animals that have been rescued from inhumane living situations and are now being rehabilitated at this10,473-acre , an hour north of Denver.For the first 20 years of the property’s existence, the public wasn’t allowed, but starting in 2002, it openedto visitors ($30 for adults, $15 for children). Unlike most refuges that involve driving tours, visitors spot the animals by strolling along an elevatedmile-and-a-half-long walkway over the grounds. Show up at sundown in the summertime to observethe most animalactivity.
South Dakota
Custer State Park,Black Hills
The 71,000-acre, in western South Dakota, is home to some 1,300 free-roaming bison. To get up-close views at a still-safe distance, opt for the, where bison and other wildlife can be seen from within an off-roadopen-air vehicle. Or drive the park’s 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road on your own. Stay in one of 67 hotel roomsor cabins atthe historic (from $165), which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a stone veranda overlooking the water.
Wyoming
Amangani,Jackson Hole
(from $800), a luxury resort 20 minutes from the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, recentlylaunched an expedition. Joina wildlife guide and takea sunrise or sunset tour in Grand Teton National Park in a BMW X5. For the best chance of seeing bears resurfacing from winter hibernation, or mother elk, moose, or bison with their newborn calves, come early in the season, in May.If you’re lucky, you’ll catch sight ofthe valley’s most famous matriarch, an oft-photographed bear called Grizzly 399.
British Columbia
The Chilko Experience,Chilko Lake
When the salmon spawn on the Chilko River, the grizzlies congregate. Watch the action by boat with guides from , a collection of sixfull-service log- and timber-frame homes in the remote interior of British Columbia. Get there via a one-hour flightor a ten-hour drive from Vancouver. The wilderness resort features outdoor hot tubs, chef-prepared meals, and guided adventures like kayaking on Chilko Lake or horseback riding into the surrounding mountains, all of which are included.Four-day trips from$2,950