Chail Wildlife Sanctuary originally served as a hunting reserve for the kings of Patiala, which was later declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the government in 1976. Situated on the top of a mountain and spread over an area of 110 sq km, this sanctuary has deep forests all around cover with pines, shrubs, oak trees, and grasslands.
This sanctuary is home to numerous animal species like goral, rhesus macaque, the Indian muntjac, leopard and crested porcupine. Further, panther, wild boar, sambar, the European red deer, the Himalayan black bear, common langur, and black-napped hare are also found here. Diverse species of birds including the cheer pheasant and the kalij pheasant can also be witnessed at the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many sighting posts commonly known as machans that offer a bird's eye view of the sanctuary.