Shenandoah National Park

🇺🇸 United States

🐻 Black Bears Along Skyline Drive
🌍 #212 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #35 in North America #34 in Temperate Forest
Appalachians, United States 513 spp. recorded

Shenandoah National Park sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachians, United States. It is a temperate forest of oak, hickory, and maple, with rolling ridges and shaded hollows that differ from coastal parks. The park is known for its vibrant birdlife and deer that roam the meadow edges.

38.729° N   78.300° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

20–30% · Possible
White-tailed Deer ★
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

60–70% · Likely
Shenandoah Salamander ★
CR Endemic

Shenandoah Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Plethodon shenandoah

10–20% · With luck
Northern Cardinal ★
LC Endemic

Northern Cardinal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardinalis cardinalis

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

80–90% · Very likely
Tufted Titmouse
LC

Tufted Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus bicolor

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

70–80% · Very likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Chickadee
LC Endemic

Carolina Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile carolinensis

70–80% · Very likely
American Goldfinch
LC

American Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus tristis

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

60–70% · Likely
Eastern Bluebird
LC

Eastern Bluebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sialia sialis

60–70% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
White-breasted Nuthatch
LC Endemic

White-breasted Nuthatch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sitta carolinensis

60–70% · Likely
Mourning Dove
LC Endemic

Mourning Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida macroura

50–60% · Likely
Downy Woodpecker
LC

Downy Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryobates pubescens

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

20–30% · Possible
White-tailed Deer ★
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Gray Squirrel
LC

Eastern Gray Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus carolinensis

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Cottontail
LC Endemic

Eastern Cottontail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus floridanus

30–40% · Possible
Woodchuck
LC

Woodchuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota monax

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Chipmunk
LC

Eastern Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias striatus

20–30% · Possible
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck
American Beaver
LC

American Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor canadensis

10–20% · With luck
Virginia Opossum
LC

Virginia Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis virginiana

10–20% · With luck
Northern Short-tailed Shrew
LC

Northern Short-tailed Shrew

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Blarina brevicauda

5–10% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

5–10% · With luck
🐒 No photo available
LC

Striped Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis mephitis

5–10% · With luck
Fox Squirrel
LC

Fox Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus niger

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Cardinal ★
LC Endemic

Northern Cardinal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardinalis cardinalis

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

80–90% · Very likely
Tufted Titmouse
LC

Tufted Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus bicolor

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

70–80% · Very likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Chickadee
LC Endemic

Carolina Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile carolinensis

70–80% · Very likely
American Goldfinch
LC

American Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus tristis

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

60–70% · Likely
Eastern Bluebird
LC

Eastern Bluebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sialia sialis

60–70% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
White-breasted Nuthatch
LC Endemic

White-breasted Nuthatch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sitta carolinensis

60–70% · Likely
Mourning Dove
LC Endemic

Mourning Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida macroura

50–60% · Likely
Downy Woodpecker
LC

Downy Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryobates pubescens

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Box Turtle
VU

Common Box Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Terrapene carolina

50–60% · Likely
Eastern Rat Snake
LC

Eastern Rat Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

40–50% · Likely
Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

30–40% · Possible
Common Watersnake
LC Endemic

Common Watersnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Nerodia sipedon

30–40% · Possible
Common Five-lined Skink
LC

Common Five-lined Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Plestiodon fasciatus

30–40% · Possible
Painted Turtle
LC

Painted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chrysemys picta

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Copperhead
LC Endemic

Eastern Copperhead

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Agkistrodon contortrix

20–30% · Possible
Timber Rattlesnake
LC

Timber Rattlesnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotalus horridus

20–30% · Possible
Ringneck Snake
LC Endemic

Ringneck Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Diadophis punctatus

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Fence Lizard
LC Endemic

Eastern Fence Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus undulatus

20–30% · Possible
Snapping Turtle
LC

Snapping Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelydra serpentina

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Milksnake
LC

Eastern Milksnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lampropeltis triangulum

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Shenandoah Salamander ★
CR Endemic

Shenandoah Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Plethodon shenandoah

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

50–60% · Likely
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
LC

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon cinereus

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Newt
LC

Eastern Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Notophthalmus viridescens

30–40% · Possible
Pickerel Frog
LC

Pickerel Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates palustris

30–40% · Possible
Green Frog

Green Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates clamitans

20–30% · Possible
Northern Two-lined Salamander
LC

Northern Two-lined Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Eurycea bislineata

20–30% · Possible
Seal Salamander
LC

Seal Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Desmognathus monticola

20–30% · Possible
Gray Treefrog
LC

Gray Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dryophytes versicolor

20–30% · Possible
Fowler's Toad
LC

Fowler's Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus fowleri

20–30% · Possible
Northern Cricket Frog
LC Endemic

Northern Cricket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Acris crepitans

20–30% · Possible
Spring Peeper
LC

Spring Peeper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pseudacris crucifer

10–20% · With luck
American Bullfrog

American Bullfrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates catesbeianus

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

White-tailed Deer Rut

Nov

breeding season — bucks chase does across the Big Meadows clearings and are active in daylight, the park's peak deer-viewing spectacle.

White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

60–70% · Likely
🐻

Black Bear Foraging Season

JunJulAugSep

Summer berry season concentrates black bears along Skyline Drive and around Big Meadows, the most reliable window to see them feeding in the open.

American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

20–30% · Possible
🦅

Fall Raptor Migration

SepOctNov

Thousands of raptors funnel down the Blue Ridge each autumn , with hawks and eagles riding the ridgeline thermals over Skyline Drive overlooks.

Red-tailed Hawk
LC Endemic

Red-tailed Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo jamaicensis

10–20% · With luck
Bald Eagle
LC

Bald Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

10–20% · With luck

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
American Black Bear
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
White-tailed Deer
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Shenandoah Salamander
<5
<5
<5
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
5–10
<5
Northern Cardinal
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Carolina Wren
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Tufted Titmouse
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Blue Jay
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
American Crow
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
Carolina Chickadee
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
American Goldfinch
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
Red-bellied Woodpecker
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Eastern Bluebird
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
American Robin
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
White-breasted Nuthatch
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Mourning Dove
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Downy Woodpecker
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🦅 Fall Raptor Migration
🦌 White-tailed Deer Rut
🐻 Black Bear Foraging Season
0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐻 Black Bears Along Skyline Drive

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
338
🐒 Mammals
74
🦎 Reptiles
50
🐸 Amphibians
51
513 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
21 Threatened 95 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
71%
📊
Coverage (151 species at ≥5% of 513 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
29%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
93
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
3
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
23

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Shenandoah National Park?

The most likely sightings are Northern Cardinal (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Carolina Wren (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Tufted Titmouse (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Blue Jay (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), American Crow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 513 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park for wildlife?

November has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see American Black Bear in Shenandoah National Park?

Yes — about 24% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Shenandoah National Park, based on 148 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White-tailed Deer in Shenandoah National Park?

Yes — about 66% of wildlife watchers report a White-tailed Deer sighting in Shenandoah National Park, based on 1,076 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Shenandoah Salamander in Shenandoah National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 14% of wildlife watchers report a Shenandoah Salamander sighting in Shenandoah National Park, based on 62 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Northern Cardinal in Shenandoah National Park?

Yes — about 84% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Cardinal sighting in Shenandoah National Park, based on 14,522 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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