Outdoor Adventures

Wildlife Viewing

Alberta is home to more than 500 species of wildlife. They occupy the six natural regions of the province— boreal forests, mountains, foothills, parklands, and grasslands and the small area of the Canadian Shield in the extreme northeastern corner of the province. From private operators to park interpreters, knowledgeable people across the province know where the best wildlife viewing locations are and will help you connect with the plants, animals and history of the region.

What you Need to Know About Wildlife in Alberta

Our wild mammals are the most popular for viewing and include 95 different species. Keep in mind at all times that many of these animals can be dangerous if approached or startled. Please review Parks Canada's important information on how to safely enjoy and help protect wildlife.

Finding a Guide

For a comprehensive list of Alberta operators, go to the Search feature on the top right corner of this page and click on Advanced. Choose the Category tab and select Activities & Adventures/Wildlife Viewing. You can narrow your search to a specific geographic location and/or season.

Wildlife Viewing in Park Settings

Alberta's national and provincial parks are natural sanctuaries that offer abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Most parks and many of the province’s recreational areas maintain extensive path systems and offer licensed guiding services and suggestions for planning safe viewing activities.

Provincial Parks & Recreational Areas

Visit Gateway to Alberta’s Parks and search by activity to find 50 wildlife viewing locations around the province. Consult the Wildlife Viewing Guide for an overview of wildlife locations and facilities grouped by geographical area. Be sure to check for updated information on wildlife issues.

National Parks

Banff National Park (Canadian Rockies) is home to more than 50 species that can be viewed while sightseeing in the region. Hoofed mammals (ungulates) include the mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, elk and deer. Carnivores (meat eaters) include black bears, grizzly bears, wolverines and pine martens. Small mammals and rodents include the rock rabbit (pika), pygmy shrew, hoary marmot, porcupine, beaver and many more.

Elk Island National Park (Edmonton & Area) is less than an hour’s drive from Edmonton and is home to herds of free-roaming plains bison, wood bison, moose, deer and elk.

Jasper National Park (Canadian Rockies) is the largest wilderness park in the Canadian Rockies and home to a full range of carnivores including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines. Also in abundance are woodland caribou, moose, bighorn sheep, beaver, hoary marmots, porcupines and Columbian ground squirrels—among the 69 species of mammals and rodents found here.

Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta South) is often referred to the land “where the mountains meets the prairies.” Because of the diversity of ecosystems in the park, there are over 60 species, a number of which are found only in this region. Late summer and fall are optimum for wildlife sightings of bear, deer, elk and bighorn sheep. An abundance of mule deer can be seen in and around the townsite during the summer months.

Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta North) boasts the largest free roaming, self regulating wild bison herd in the world.

Popular Species and Best Viewing Spots

Beaver: The Oldman River, just below the dam, and the Athabasca River wetlands in Jasper National Park.

Bighorn sheep: On the shores of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park.

Bison: Wood Buffalo National Park, the buffalo paddock in Waterton National Park and Elk Island National Park.

Black bears: The Lakeland region between Lac La Biche and Cold Lake.

Elk: The outskirts of Banff and Jasper townsites.

Grizzly Bears: This is one animal you do not want to see up close and personal. Your best bet is to visit the Banff Park Museum in Banff, the Wildlife Museum in Jasper or the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in Banff National Park to see the stuffed version.