Wildlife Cams You’re Guaranteed to Love

Like us, you'd probably rather be in America's great outdoors right now. But don't let being stuck behind a desk stop you. Adventure awaits just about anywhere, thanks to wildlife cams. You never know what you'll see — it could be something amazing or nothing at all — which is part of the fun. 

There are many benefits to hosting webcams in public lands. The Department of the Interior maintains a variety of webcams focused on ­natural phenomenon’s, views of wildlife in their natural habitats, weather conditions and entrance traffic at popular national parks. Check out some of our favorite wildlife cams across the country!  

The Eagle Cam at the National Conservation Training Center

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The Eagle Cam is a collaboration between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Outdoor Channel, and the Friends of the National Conservation Training Center, offering a live view into the lives of bald eagles. Located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, the nest has been home to a pair of eagles since 2003, and the cam has broadcast their nesting season since 2006. Viewers can watch as the eagles build their nest in the fall, mate in winter, and raise their young throughout the spring, with eaglets fledge by mid-June. The live feed has captivated eagle fans around the world, offering a rare, close-up look at these majestic birds. Each year, the cam broadcasts the nesting season, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service provides educational resources for teachers and students. Join the online audience and experience the incredible journey of America’s iconic bald eagles as they raise their young in the wild.

Seal Cam at Sea Island National Wildlife Refuge  

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts several wildlife cams and trail cam footage, active at various points throughout the year. The gray seal cam at Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, part of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, offers views year-round. Look for puffins in summer and gray seals in winter. The refuge is the second largest gray seal pupping area on the East Coast. 

Kelp Cam at Channel Islands National Park 

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The National Park Service hosts hundreds of webcams across our public lands that allow us to get up close to wildlife without disturbing them. The kelp cam at Channel Islands National Park shows live views of the underwater world. Take a virtual tour among the giant kelp forests off Southern California's Anacapa Island, where sea urchins feed off the leaves, fish hide throughout the fronds, and brittle stars, anemones and sponges live on the holdfasts. Be mesmerized by the swaying kelp and the white noise of the constantly moving water. If you’re lucky, you’ll spy lobsters, stingrays and sea lions. 

Bear Cam at Katmai National Park 

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No list of the best wildlife cams is complete without the wildly popular bear cam at Katmai National Park. With 9 cameras set up at Alaska’s Brooks Camp, watch brown bears fight for prime spots to feast on the largest sockeye salmon run in the world, follow along as male bears woo females and see mama bears with babies in tow. Prime viewing is June through September. In the meantime, you can always rewatch the highlights of bear cam. 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory 

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The U.S. Geological Survey utilizes webcams to provide valuable research information and data to scientists, the National Weather Service, emergency managers, and local communities to evaluate near, real-time conditions during natural hazard events. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory uses webcams to help monitor earthquakes and the active volcanoes in Hawaii.  

Department managed webcams help share these special places and wildlife no matter where you're located.