Fear of wildlife/western US National Parks

[Anonymous]

We did white water rafting on the New River Gorge in WV. There was one rock they called Snake Rock, which was covered in sunbathing snakes. Creepy.

[Anonymous]

We saw a bear near Yosemite outside the NP. He was attracted to the campsite. Never seen one in the NPs in AZ and UT. However, Yellowstone has large wildlife. Listen to the guides, stay in your vehicles, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The other problem is I can’t even research more info on rattlesnakes because I can’t handle the unavoidable pictures of them! I’m worried I won’t be able to distinguish the sound from katydid/cicada type sounds.

[Anonymous]

Not to add to your fears, but watch out for the javelinas in Sedona--I love seeing bears in the wilderness (saw 7 in one hike in Canada but none in Sedona or GC) but these things travel in a pack and scared the crap out of me with all their huffing and snorting when I was standing out in the dark taking night sky photos. I think they only come out at night in areas where open space if available so you'll be fine at hotels, restaurant areas, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to add to your fears, but watch out for the javelinas in Sedona--I love seeing bears in the wilderness (saw 7 in one hike in Canada but none in Sedona or GC) but these things travel in a pack and scared the crap out of me with all their huffing and snorting when I was standing out in the dark taking night sky photos. I think they only come out at night in areas where open space if available so you'll be fine at hotels, restaurant areas, etc.

OP here. Haha, yes I'm aware of these too. I have a friend who lives in Tucson and she likes to post about these!

[Anonymous]

Lord almighty, OP. You can get bit by a Copperhead here in DC. We've had black bears in our NOVA neighborhood more than once.

There's wildlife everywhere.

Go on the trip and don't be an idiot about it. Stay on paths, in groups, and as directed. Don't approach wildlife and try to take some dumb selfie by baby bears or bison and you'll be alright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband wants to visit a NP or two out west with our kids - and I’m interested but absolutely terrified of some of the wildlife out there.

#1 by far - rattlesnakes

Followed by bears and mountain lions.

If we stick to high traffic, easy trails, how safe is it? I don’t want to do anything remotely risky. Yes I have anxiety. I also have two teens.

Looking at GCNP (and Sedona) first. DH and I went 25 years ago with no issues, but I was unaware of the dangers then (and didn’t have anxiety yet.) I’m aware that statistically the bigger risk is falling, but feel like I have more control over that and staying out of dangerous spots.

Thanks in advance for any advice or reassurance.

You can just drive around the rim of the Grand Canyon, and you will not see any wildlife. Just don't go hiking down into it

[Anonymous]

We did several western national parks last summer and the most wildlife we saw were ducks and prairie dogs and a few deer. I've seen more wildlife in our arlington neighborhood. We did see bison on the side of the road between Yellowstone and Jackson. If you want to avoid wildlife, go mid-day when most of the animals are avoiding tourists.