12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring

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Spring has sprung! & everyone is ready to hit the road. Whether you’re a full-time van lifer looking for the perfect national park stealth camping spot or just a camper looking for a quick getaway– these are the best national parks to visit this spring.

US National Parks to Visit in the Spring

Here’s a comprehensive list of all the national parks that you could visit in the spring. These parks are all just fine this time of year, the roads have cleared of snow, wildflowers are beginning to bloom, and the temperatures are warming.

• Arches National Park (Utah)
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Colorado)
• Biscayne National Park (Florida)
• Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
• Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
• Death Valley National Park (California)
• Everglades National Park (Florida)
• Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)
• Glacier National Park (Montana)
• Grand Canyon (Arizona)
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (South Carolina/Tennesee)
• Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
• Joshua Tree National Park (California)
• Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)
• Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)
• Mount Ranier National Park (Washington)
• North Cascades National Park (Washington)
• Olympic National Park (Washington)
• Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)
• Pinnacles National Park (California)
• Redwood National Park (California)
• Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
• Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana)
• Yosemite National Park (California)
• Zion National Park (Utah)

12 Outstanding National Parks to Visit in Spring

But THESE national parks are the destinations in their prime this spring. Hitting the sweet spot of perfect weather, a plethora of activities, & low visitor numbers–if you’re looking for a road trip these are the very best national parks to visit in the Spring.

Best National Parks to Visit in March

March is one of the trickiest months to visit national parks. The weather can be unpredictable, snow is just beginning to melt in the mountains, & depending on the elevation it can still be freezing cold!

1. Arches National Park (Utah)

You’ll be the only one here. Somehow this national park is often overlooked in the spring. The weather is crisp & cool, stargazing is exceptionally clear (Arches NP is a protected dark sky area which means stellar stargazing), & snow-capped mountains stand in the distance providing a dramatic backdrop for all your iconic arches photos.

You can see a lot of the Arches National Park in as little as 24 hours.

2. Death Valley National Park (California)

In addition to being the lowest point in North America at 200 ft below sea level, it’s also the hottest place in the world. Death Valley reaches temps of 137 degrees in the summer months. To avoid the sweltering heat and see the valley carpeted in yellow wildflowers you’ll want to visit in March.

You can marvel at the valley from Zabriskie Point, drive the single-lane colorful loop of Artists Palette, & hike to the Red Cathedral.

3. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

Visit the Grand Canyon in the summertime & the canyon trails will be packed with enthusiastic hikers and families on summer vacation. But visit the Grand Canyon in March & the last dustings of snow will have melted and the temperatures will start breaking 70 degrees during the day.

This means perfect hiking weather to explore some of the Grand Canyons’ best trails. The North Rim remains closed for most of March so be sure to focus your visit on the South Rim. My favorites are South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, Bright Angel Trailhead to Indian Garden Campground, & of course, Grandview Point for that iconic overlook.

4. Pinnacles National Park

I’ve died and gone to wildflower heaven. The only thing that can make Pinnacles canyons and oddly shaped rock formations more beautiful is a carpet of wildflowers. Exactly what you get when you visit Pinnacles National Park during the Spring.

March will bring the beginning of wildflower season and have the mildest temperatures so you’ll have no problem spending your entire day outside exploring. It’s also a great place for stargazing. Be sure to visit the Bear Gulch Cave, Condor Gulch Trail, & the High Peaks Loop.

I wrote an entire guide to exploring Pinnacles National Park. Add it to your next road trip of the California Coast & spot the rare California Condor.

Best National Parks to Visit in April

These parks you should pay a visit to smack-dab in the middle of Spring. Perfect weather. Wildlife galore. Here are the national parks you should visit in April.

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (South Carolina/Tennesee)

I love the Smoky Mountains. It’s also the perfect National Park to visit in the Spring on a road trip since most of the overlooks are easily reachable by car. But that doesn’t mean you can hang up your hiking boots just yet.

April weather in the Smokies becomes more predictable & wildflowers burst from the thawed ground.

You can’t miss climbing Charlie’s Bunion (& with it a portion of the Appalachian Trail), sunset at Clingman’s Dome, & hiking above the clouds at Chimney Tops. You should pay a visit to nearby Asheville and the best South Carolina BBQ joint in all of the south Luella’s Bar B Que.

6. Joshua Tree National Park (California)

Spring is the most idyllic time to visit the desert. Barren dusty landscapes come alive with wildflowers and the smoldering heat of the summer hasn’t yet arrived. Tall Joshua Trees dot the landscape and cacti are in bloom.

Joshua Tree National Park is all about short hikes and scenic sunset drives. My favorite stops are the Discovery Trail, Cholla Cactus Garden, Jumbo Rocks, and Mastodon Peak. For a look at everything Joshua Tree National Park has to offer you can read my full Joshua Tree National Park Guide.

7. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Overlooking Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains the Skyline Drive cutting through Shenandoah National Park is at its prettiest in the Spring and Fall. Spring brings green and life to the carpet of forest laid out before you & fall paints a tapestry of gold and orange foliage.

Climb to the summit of Mary’s Rock & Upper Hawksbill Trail for some of the best views of the National Park and then take advantage of the Spring snowmelt & hike to Lewis Falls which should be 80 feet of cascading glory at this time of year.

8. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana)

When I visited Yellowstone for the first time in September, I was blown away. The combination of Mars-like landscapes, free-roaming wildlife, & electric-blue springs can be found nowhere else on earth. It easily lands in my top 3 National Parks. But crowds are a huge problem here. This is one of the busiest National Parks in the US, but April is the perfect time to visit.

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Visit Yellowstone National Park in April for a chance to see baby bison being born in Lamar Valley, bears awakening from a long winter hibernation, & less crowds at Yellowstone’s top sights like Morning Glory Pool, Grand Prismatic, and Ol’ Faithful.

Best National Parks to Visit in May

Sneak in right before the summer crowds collect in these 5 national parks to visit in May.

9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Colorado)

Of Colorado’s many national parks, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the least visited. So, you won’t have to share the dramatic canyon views with many other spectators. Especially not if you plan your visit in May.

The North Rim of the Canyon is closed from October to April, which means that in May all hiking options are available to you. But if you’re not looking for day-hikes there are plenty of scenic vistas that don’t involve a lot of legwork. The best viewpoints of the canyon are Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View.

10. Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)

Alaska might just be the most beautiful state in the U.S. It’s also one of the least visited and most difficult to reach. Perhaps that has something to do with it. Kenai Fjords National Park has been on my bucketlist for ages. & there are two reasons May is the perfect time to visit.

The road to Exit Glacier has just opened giving you full access to the ice fields and icebergs while they are still in all their winter glory.

& Gray Whale migration. April & May (the best months to spot them) the gray whales begin to arrive in Alaska and remain until October.

This makes May the sweet spot. You get the best of both worlds and the daylight hours have begun to increase by this time of year. Here are some more awesome things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park.

11. Olympic National Park (Washington)

Olympic National park is packed with thick mossy rainforest, crazy 20-mile+ backcountry hikes, gushing waterfalls, and of course dramatic snow-capped peaks. It’s also one of the rare US National Parks that has temperate (albeit rainy & damp) weather year-round.

May brings out the best of the Olympics however. Wildlife is thriving this time of year and you’ll have the best chance of spotting bears, mountain goats, and other furry critters. It’s also the greenest time of year in the Hoh Rainforest, throw in the fact that the waterfalls will also be at their most impressive & you’ll realize why the Olympics are one of the top national parks to visit in the Spring.

First-time visitors will want to check out Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, and Shi Shi Beach. If hiking is your style & you’re looking for an unforgettable backcountry adventure I recommend trying to get a permit for the multi-day trek in the Enchantments. Backcountry camping passes are limited–but it’s worth a shot.

12. Yosemite National Park (California)

Gushing waterfalls, perfect hiking weather, & vibrantly green trails make a May visit to Yosemite one of the best months to visit (the other is September). You’ll still need to book accommodation well in advance unless you plan on camping or have a camper van.

Check out our guide on all the best things to do in Yosemite National Park during the shoulder season.

Best National Parks to Visit During Spring Break

There are two essential factors when considering which national parks to visit during spring break. Will there be crowds? & does it have dramatic impressive views worthy of a week-long trip?

Spring break is one of the most popular travel weeks of the year & crowds flood destinations all over the United States. National Parks are no different. If you’re looking for a national park to visit during spring break…without the crowds, I recommend one of these.

Olympic National Park

There is no shortage of hiking in the Olympic National Park boundaries and the views here are some of the best in the United States. Isolated on the peninsula of Washington State it’s also a lesser-visited National Park. I can’t recommend this park enough.

Check out my post on the 17 things you need to know before your first visit to the Olympic Peninsula.

Death Valley

Most visitors to Death Valley hit the highlights and then move on but it’s one of the largest national parks in the entire United States. If you want to spend an epic week exploring Martian-like landscapes this is the perfect spring break destination.

Best Way to see the National Parks? Van Life.

Okay. I might be biased. But van life has changed the road trip game. It’s made it cheaper. More comfortable & helped me to travel more off-the-beaten-path. & that’s just a few benefits of the van life. But van life isn’t always as glamorous as it’s made out to be. & if you’re on the fence you should test out van/RV travel before you invest in your own rig.

Whether you’re looking for crisp hiking trails, gushing waterfalls, or rolling fields of wildflowers there’s a national park for you! Let me know what your favorite National Parks to visit in the Spring are!

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