Get up close to America’s most iconic creatures—without splurging. These eight summer drives lead you to prime wildlife‑viewing spots, pairing spectacular animal encounters with wallet‑savvy planning. Entrance fees, campground rates, and insider tips ensure you spend less time worrying about costs and more time watching wildlife in its natural habitat.

1. Everglades National Park, FL

Why Visit?
Home to alligators, wading birds, and elusive Florida panthers, the Everglades offers unparalleled low‑water‑season wildlife viewing by boat or on the Anhinga Trail.

Route & Budget Tips

• Entrance Pass: $30 per vehicle (7‑day pass)

• Camping: Long Pine Key Campground sites start at $30/night

• Best Leg: Drive the Tamiami Trail at dawn; rent a canoe to paddle Florida Bay for birdwatching

2. Badlands National Park, SD

Why Visit?
Spot bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs against a backdrop of layered rock formations—the Badlands Loop Road is a wildlife hotspot at sunrise.

Route & Budget Tips

• Entrance Pass: $30 per vehicle (7‑day pass)

• Camping: Cedar Pass Campground from $20/night

• Insider Tip: Pull over at the rock pile overlooks to catch grazing bison packs in the distance

3. Bosque del Apache NWR, NM

Why Visit?
Each November–March, tens of thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese winter here—but even in summer, roadrunners and herons abound.

Route & Budget Tips

• Entry: Free to the refuge

• Camping: On‑site WRV campground at $7/night or explore nearby private Hipcamp listings for unique stays

• Highlight: Sunrise auto‑tour loops deliver close‑up bird flocks with minimal walking

4. Custer State Park, SD

Why Visit?
Home to one of the largest publicly managed bison herds, plus pronghorn, elk, and wild burros along the Wildlife Loop Road.

Route & Budget Tips

• Park License Plate: $20 per vehicle (annual accept)

• Camping: Game Lodge Campground from $25/night

• Must‑Do: Drive the 18‑mile loop at dusk—bison often graze roadside in golden light

5. Grand Teton National Park, WY

Why Visit?
Moose in willow flats, grizzly bears in high country, and elk herds grazing lakesides make the Teton Park Road a wildlife prime time.

Route & Budget Tips

• Entrance Pass: $35 per vehicle (7‑day pass)

• Camping: Gros Ventre Campground from $30/night

• Tip: Cruise early morning along Schwabacher’s Landing for stunning reflections and moose sightings

6. Denali National Park, AK

Why Visit?
Accessible only by shuttle, the Denali Park Road offers views of caribou, wolves, and grizzlies set beneath North America’s tallest peak.

Route & Budget Tips

• Shuttle Fee: $35 per person (full-day shuttle)

• Camping: Riley Creek Campground around $15/night

• Pro Tip: Book the shuttle well in advance and stay two nights to improve wildlife odds

7. Rio Grande Valley SP, TX

Why Visit?
A subtropical birding mecca, this park hosts colorful orioles, hummingbirds, and the rare green jay—ideal for spring and summer birders.

Route & Budget Tips

• Day Pass: $5 per vehicle

• Camping: Resaca de la Palma Campground from $15/night

• Best Spot: Follow the woodland loop trail at dawn for peak songbird activity

8. Great Smoky Mountains NP, TN/NC

Why Visit?
Black bears, white‑tailed deer, and elk herds roam the valleys—look for feeding sites along Cades Cove Loop Road.

Route & Budget Tips

• Entrance: Free (no park pass needed)

• Camping: Elkmont Campground from $20/night

• Highlight: Drive Cades Cove early in the morning to spot bears at the fields’ edge

Tips to Travel Cheap in Summer 2025

• Map your wildlife routes with Roadtrippers, track fuel prices on GasBuddy, book campsites via Recreation.gov, and discover private or unique stays on Hipcamp.

• Aim for early‑morning or late‑evening drives to align with peak wildlife activity and avoid mid‑day crowds.

• Pack binoculars, a sturdy tripod for cameras, and quick‑dry clothing to stay comfortable during long wildlife watches.

Final Thoughts

From alligators in the Everglades to grizzlies in Denali, these eight wildlife‑focused road trips prove you can chase America’s most magnificent creatures—on a budget. With current pass fees, campsite rates, and four essential planning tools, your Summer 2025 wildlife odyssey awaits.