Wildlife

It’s the time of year when, across the United States, colleges, universities and many schools provide a week off. For the college students, spring break has often become associated with partying and excess. As with many forms of forced hilarity, this kind of spring break often fails to live up to expectations.

But you can have your day on the beach and nature, too. Or your late nights can involve spotting kangaroo rats and your wild dances will include sage grouse. There is no shortage of options to combine spring break with cool creatures and remote places.

Here’s your guide to going where the wild things are. I’ve included “traditional” sun-and-fun destinations that also have great natural history options as well as some options focused more on hard-core wildlife viewing.

Have fun, and please leave your own suggestions in the comments.