Spring is arguably the best season for wildlife encounters. As temperatures begin heating up across the Northern Hemisphere, travelers can look forward to more opportunities to get outside and watch Mother Nature in action, especially in these 20 destinations.

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska was created more than 100 years ago and today boasts nearly 170 species of birds, 39 species of mammals and 14 different species of fish. In addition to bears and moose, visitors can spot wolves, caribou, marmots and squirrels.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the rarest animal species on the planet so there's never a bad time to visit. Whether you prefer watching wildlife from land or sea, the Galapagos offers tons of potential.

Spring is an excellent time for wildlife viewing in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park since many animals move to lower elevations this time of year. Herds tend to feed in the lower valleys in April and elk, moose, deer and bighorn sheep present their newborn calves, fawns and lambs in May and June.

Numerous species call Florida's Everglades National Park home, including the American alligator, leopard frog and the West Indian manatee. Fishing is also incredibly popular here as nearly 300 different species are known to inhabit the park's marshes and marine coastline.

If you consider animals and nature to be your passion, Malaysian Borneo should be high on your bucket list. The Asian destination is the third largest island in the world and beloved for its biodiversity. The region's lush jungles are home to orangutans, leopard cats and lots more that you can see on Backyard Travel's new 12-night tour.

This nearly 13,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Washington County, Mississippi is the oldest in the state and was established to provide wintering needs for migratory waterfowl. Therefore, visitors can expect to find plenty of birds, including over 50,000 overwintering geese and 100,000 ducks. White-tailed deer and American alligators are also common Yazoo residents.

The Sea of Cortez, otherwise known as the Gulf of California, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it's among the most diverse seas in the world. The area is a popular spot for whale watching tours launching from Cabo San Lucas and home to hundreds of species of fish.

In addition to more than 1,000 different plant species, Maine's Acadia National Park supports a wide array of animals that include peregrine falcons, seals, dolphins, whales, salamanders, sea stars, moose and much more.

A popular African safari destination, the Serengeti hosts the world's largest mammal migration. The massive region features wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and buffalo, among other animals.

If visiting Yellowstone National Park in the spring, consider exploring Mount Washburn in Wyoming, where you're likely to come across babies of all shapes and sizes this time of year, including bison calves and young elk.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park comprises lush rainforest and is home to at least a dozen species of lemur, including the rare and protected greater bamboo lemur and golden bamboo lemur.

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park during the spring will discover bison, elk and other animals grazing in green meadows while bald eagles soar high above the park.

Scotland's Treshnish Isles are renowned for their large population of puffins, which are commonplace from mid-April through early August. In total, the region is home to nearly four dozen different species of birds.

Southern Africa's Kalahari Desert spans more than 350,000 square miles across parts of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and is home to a plethora of exotic animals, including meerkats, giraffes and brown hyenas.

Spanning two states, Assateague Island National Seashore is best known for the wild horses that roam its beaches. However, this coastal attraction and scenic camping destination is also home to a variety of bird and crab species in addition to mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Dolphin lovers will feel right at home in New Zealand's Bay of Islands. Visitors to the region, which comprises more than 140 subtropical islands, can view wild dolphins and whales all year long. Native fur seals and penguins can also be spotted here.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a paradise for birders, boasting more than 600 bird species. The best part is that the park can be easily accessed from all of Uganda's major towns.

The dense forest can make spotting wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park challenging. Nonetheless, places like Cataloochee and Cades Cove will provide visitors with opportunities to see white-tailed deer, black bears, elk, turkeys and woodchucks, among other animals.

Massachusetts' Cape Cod National Seashore is home to more than 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and invertebrate animals. This is a popular spot for whale watching and horseshoe crabs are prevalent during peak spawning season in May and June.

California's Yosemite National Park supports more than 400 species of vertebrates, including more than 90 mammal species alone thanks to its diverse habitat. Yosemite is also a superb stop for stargazing.