Wildlife Viewing

Whether you plan to drive the roads, hike the trails or relax at a campsite, there are many opportunities to view wildlife.

Ten animals you might see in the park:

• Bison
• Black Bears
• Lynx
• Moose
• Fox
• Beavers
• Owls
• Wolves
• Loons
• Eagles

Top Spots

Road Corridors

Roads are used by people and wildlife alike. Bison and bears may be traveling along the road or feeding on vegetation in the ditches. Bears like eating the dandelions that are prevalent in May and June.

Salt Plains

Follow the tracks of cranes, bears and bison, to see where they lead. Bring a pair of binoculars to the Salt Plains lookout and search for birds like cranes, pelicans, swans and others.

Salt River Day Use Area

This area comes alive in the spring with the emergence of the northernmost population of red-sided garter snakes to the long-nosed suckers that run the Salt River shortly after the spring melt. It is also not uncommon to see bears or bison in this area.

Pine Lake

Throughout the summer a herd of bison are often found grazing and wallowing in front of the Pine Lake Rental Cabins. Sit by the lakeside and listen for loons or watch for bats flying overhead around dusk.

Sweetgrass Station

Located in the heart of the Peace-Athabasca Delta Sweetgrass Station offers immersive wildlife viewing opportunities. Bison often graze in the meadows nearby, wolves can be heard in distance, and bears can be viewed as well.

Know before you go

• Hoping to see Whooping Cranes? Your best chance to see them is when they are migrating in and out of the park as the Whooping Crane nesting area is well protected and inaccessible to people.
• Be sure to give wildlife space. Stay at least 30 m (3 buses) away from moose, and 100 m (10 buses) away from bears, wolves and bison.
• Bison are more aggressive during mating season (rut) from the end of July until September.
• Keep your dog on leash at all times. Off-leash dogs can trigger aggressive behaviour from wildlife.
• Slow down if you see wildlife beside the road, stay in your vehicle and move on.