When to go › May

Where to see wildlife in May

9 of 43 destinations scored for wildlife are prime in May — 80 or better on conditions alone. Highest: Acadia & Bar Harbor (90), Galápagos Islands (90), Grand Canyon (90). In April 12 are prime; in June, 15.

21 worth considering

May · Wildlife

Every destination scoring 55 or better for wildlife in May, highest first. Ties are listed alphabetically.

Acadia & Bar HarborMaine, USA · North America · prime May to September
prime90
Galápagos IslandsEcuador · South America · prime April to June and August to September
prime90
Grand CanyonArizona, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime90
Grand TetonWyoming, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
Great Smoky MountainsTennessee / North Carolina, USA · North America · prime April to June and October
prime90
Olympic National ParkWashington, USA · North America · prime March to May
prime90
The Outer BanksNorth Carolina, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime90
Tofino & Vancouver IslandCanada · North America · prime March to August
prime90
YellowstoneUnited States · North America · prime May to June and September
prime90
Banff & Lake LouiseCanada · North America · prime June to September
good67
DenaliAlaska, USA · North America · prime June to August
good67
Glacier National ParkMontana, USA · North America · prime June to September
good67
Jackson HoleWyoming, USA · North America · prime January to March
good67
JasperCanada · North America · prime June to September
good67
Kenai FjordsAlaska, USA · North America · prime June to July
good67
Kruger & Sabi SandsSouth Africa · Africa · prime June to September
good67
Newfoundland & Gros MorneCanada · North America · prime June to July
good67
RajasthanIndia · Asia · prime March to April · flagged: extreme heat
good67
SvalbardNorway · Europe · prime June to August
good67
The Florida KeysFlorida, USA · North America · prime December to April
good67
The Inside Passage & JuneauAlaska, USA · North America · prime June to August
good67
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Know before you book

Most places have one or two months that are genuinely better — and a booking moment that comes a lot earlier than the trip. I’ll write when one of those is coming up. No schedule, no filler.

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