College students aren't the only ones on the move for spring break. Animals are migrating now, too, which makes it a perfect time to see them in parks and refuges. "They're becoming more active. It's a good time to go," says Mark Wexler, editor of National Wildlife, the magazine of the National Wildlife Federation, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. There's always an element of chance involved, but you're almost guaranteed an animal sighting at some locations. Wexler shares favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Platte River
Nebraska
Visitors to the Upper Plains can expect to see more than just a few birds. "It's one of the great wildlife spectacles in the whole world," Wexler says. "Starting in early spring, you can get as many as 10 million ducks and geese." And the biggest draw may be the half-million sandhill cranes: "There are just throngs and throngs of them." 402-471-0641; outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/guides
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Montana
Large mammals such as elk and bighorn sheep roam this huge reserve, but Wexler also recommends seeking out the prairie dog towns. The highly social critters are a keystone species, providing food and habitat for many other animals — plus they're easy to view. "Some animals you only see at dawn and dusk, but prairie dogs are active all the time," Wexler says. 406-538-8706; fws.gov/cmr
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
Mississippi
This Delta reserve has trails and observation platforms that make it easy to spot colorful wood ducks and even alligators in the wetlands and bottomland forest. The 13,000-acre refuge includes about 260 animal species, including the threatened Louisiana black bear. 662-839-2638; fws.gov/yazoo
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Puget Sound
Washington
Pods of killer whales are the big attraction here, and they can be easily viewed on whale-watching cruises from the San Juan Islands. "To see these guys in their natural habitat is pretty spectacular," Wexler says. "The other place you can see them is Sea World, and it's not the same experience." 888-468-3701; visitsanjuans.com
Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming and Montana
The world's first national park has the highest concentration of wild mammals in the Lower 48, including grizzlies, wolverines and elk, Wexler says. But one of the stars, ranking up there with Old Faithful, is the wild wolf. "You don't have to go out with an outfitter," he says; in some areas, you can just drive and pull over where you see a crowd of cars. 307-344-7381; nps.gov/yellowstone
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
New England
Spanning four states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut), this refuge protects the Connecticut River watershed and gives visitors a chance to see more than 100 species of migrating tropical songbirds. Mammals are plentiful, too. "There's deer and moose, but also coyotes and porcupines, bears and bobcats," Wexler says. 413-548-8002; fws.gov/r5soc
Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore, Michigan
Visitors find miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, with towering dunes reminiscent of the seashore. Though birds are the standout — including herons, bald eagles, and hawks— that's not all, Wexler says. "You can rent canoes and you might see some critters like beavers or mink while you're in the water." 231-326-5134; nps.gov/slbe
Everglades National Park
Florida
The best time to visit the sea of grass is fall through spring, Wexler says. Heron and egrets are commonplace, and so is the American alligator. "You don't need a guide or anything," he says. "You can step right out on the boardwalk and see alligators, which is pretty thrilling." 305-242-7700; nps.gov/ever/
Valle Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest
New Mexico
In Spanish, this reserve's name means "Valley of Life," and it certainly lives up to its name with the largest herd of elk in the state. "It's a pretty wild place," Wexler says, and is home to bears and mountain lions. "Some people call it New Mexico's Yellowstone because of the wildlife." The area's also convenient to Santa Fe and Taos. 575-586-0520; www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/recreation/trails/trail-descriptions/trail_valle_vidal.shtml
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Texas
The rare and imposing whooping crane winters in this refuge along the Gulf Coast. The birds, which migrate 2,500 miles from Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada, stand 5 feet tall and have a 7-foot wingspan. "If you want to see one of the world's most endangered birds, it's the place to go," Wexler says. 361-286-3559; fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/aransas/
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