This article is sponsored and made possible by Toyota Trucks.
As crowds taper off in fall and winter, wildlife becomes easier to spot at many national parks. This season invites unhurried exploration, and travelers we call Detourists are the ones who embrace it. They’re the ones who take the long way and find beauty off the beaten path.
With the capability and reliability of Toyota Trucks, every trip becomes an open invitation to explore. From gravel loops and muddy forest roads to snow-covered backroads in the Badlands, this season can bring changing, and sometimes challenging road conditions. But for those ready to explore, it also offers some of the best wildlife watching of the year.
Here are three national parks and monuments where wildlife takes the spotlight in colder months, and how best to explore them.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Every November, the skies above Bosque del Apache fill with sandhill cranes and snow geese. Their calls echo across the wetlands as dawn breaks over the desert. The refuge’s 12-mile auto loop offers easy access to viewing areas and hidden pullouts ideal for photography.
The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro handles the gravel and levee roads with ease. Its high-clearance suspension and 4×4 hybrid drivetrain make pre-dawn starts and post-sunset exits worry-free. The aluminum-reinforced composite bed doubles as a viewing platform or gear station, ready for tripods, binoculars, and coffee.
Tip: Dress in layers, as mornings can be below freezing, and stay for the evening “fly-in” when thousands of cranes return at sunset.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
In fall, Congaree’s old-growth forest comes alive. Otters glide through blackwater creeks, barred owls call from above, and deer step out as floodwaters recede. Fewer visitors make it an ideal time to explore.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road shines on the park’s sandy forest roads and muddy pullouts. Its standard 4×4 drivetrain and Crawl Control systems help navigate slick ground, and the truck bed easily hauls camera gear or a kayak for exploring Cedar Creek.
Tip: Visit early morning or after rain for a calm atmosphere and active wildlife. A headlamp helps spot nocturnal movement after dusk.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
During fall and winter, bison graze across the badlands, wild horses roam the ridges, and elk bugle in the distance.
Unpaved routes through the North and South Units are where the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro proves its worth. Its 4×4 hybrid drivetrain system and rugged suspension handle washboard terrain and steep grades with confidence. The roomy cargo area and liftgate with power rear window make it easy to gear up, rest, or warm up between sightings.
Tip: Visit between late September and November for active herds and the park’s best light for photography.
Make Your Toyota Truck a Wildlife Basecamp
Wildlife watching requires patience and preparation. Toyota Trucks provide both mobility and comfort, with space for cameras, coolers, binoculars, field books, and more. Use the bed for a stable shooting platform, and let the truck’s traction and clearance handle the rough roads so you can focus on the view.
Leave No Trace in Wild Spaces
Remember to observe wildlife from a distance, stay on designated roads, and never feed or approach wildlife. Pack out all trash, respect seasonal closures, and minimize noise.. This means that you should also avoid using any bird calls or apps that imitate animal sounds. Mimicking animal sounds is considered harassment and can harm wildlife.
Be a Detourist
This season, be a Detourist and take the long way. Choose the quieter overlooks, the open roads, and the trails where it’s just you and the wild. With a Toyota Truck, you can get there, and you can stay as long as you want.
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