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, use the Advanced Search feature at the top right corner of this page. Choose the Category tab and select Activities & Adventures/Wildlife Viewing. Select Edmonton & Area Region to narrow your search.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 near Edmonton
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.
Popular Species and Best Viewing Spots
- Beaver: the Athabasca River wetlands in Jasper National Park.
- Bison: The buffalo paddock in Elk Island National Park.
- Black bears: The Lakeland region between Lac La Biche and Cold Lake.
- Elk: The outskirts of Jasper townsite.
- Grizzly Bears: This is one animal you do not want to see up close and personal. Your best bet is to visit the Wildlife Museum in Jasper to see the stuffed version.
