When many parts of America are still dusted with snow and suffer from below-freezing temperatures, others begin waking up after a long winter’s rest.
Spring brings with it pleasant temperatures, roaring waterfalls and unique wildlife sightings, often including baby animals frolicking in spectacular landscapes.
So, with winter nearing its end, let’s check out the best U.S. national parks to visit in spring.
12 Best U.S. National Parks to Visit in Spring
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National parks are always a good choice. Spring is arguably the best time of year to explore many—if not most—of America’s national parks. From March through June, as snow and ice melt and temperatures rise, nature revives.
Meltwater feeds rivers and waterfalls, animals wake up from hibernation and a rainbow of wildflowers blooms in meadows. People, too, get more active as the weather improves and the days grow longer.
If you’ve had your share of cabin fever and want to get outside again, try one of the following great national parks to visit in spring. I personally cannot imagine better places to spend your time than these.
Also, National Park Week takes place each April, a perfect time to get outside, have an adventure and explore a park (or two, or three).
1. Joshua Tree National Park, California
I’m not going to lie. Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite national parks in America. With its cold winter nights and scorching hot summer days, the park is best visited in spring.
Temperatures range comfortably around about 80˚F (26˚C) during the day, the perfect weather for desert hiking, (mountain) biking and rock climbing. The cooler nights are ideal for cozy campfires.
Spring is also when many of Joshua Tree’s desert plants bloom. And there’s a huge variety in flora in this extraordinary park spread out across two vastly different deserts—the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.
From cholla cacti and ocotillo plants to California fan palms and the park’s namesake Joshua trees, much more than most other national parks, vegetation is a major attraction here.
Because Joshua Tree is at its prime in early spring, it’s one of the best national parks to go to during spring break.
Because of its location near San Diego and Los Angeles, it gets busy here. So, either book your place to stay way in advance or arrive early in the morning to grab a first-come, first- served campsite. I recommend the Jumbo Rocks Campground.
More About Joshua Tree National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Joshua Tree Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Joshua Tree National Park
- Scenic Views in Joshua Tree National Park
- Accommodation
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
To experience the sheer beauty and epic majesty of the Grand Canyon and other Arizona national parks, you couldn’t find a better time than spring.
Although the (morning) temperatures on the South Rim—by far the most popular side—might still be rather low in spring, this is the optimum window for hikes down into the canyon.
Snow probably still dusts the rim and the upper parts of the trails, but the further down you go, the warmer and drier it gets. Even in March, you’ll soon find yourself taking off layer after layer until you’re only wearing a T-shirt. Zip-off hiking pants are definitely useful, too. I highly recommend the Bright Angel Trail.
In my opinion, this is definitely one of the top national parks to visit in early spring. On top of that, Grand Canyon is one of the best national parks for dogs, too. At the South Rim, you can take your pet on all trails above the rim.
More About Grand Canyon National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Grand Canyon Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Grand Canyon National Park
- Scenic Views of the Grand Canyon (South Rim)
- Accommodation
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
When the snow melts in the Blue Ridge Mountains, waterfalls grow in size and volume, becoming arguably the most popular attraction in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spring is by far the best time of year for waterfall hunting in this park.
Another awesome highlight, though, is the Great Smokies’ spring wildflower display. Home to more than 1,500 flowering plants, this is, in fact, one of most wildflower-rich places in all North America. Try to visit between April 22 and 25 to join the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage.
This combination of fresh greenery, roaring waterfalls and abundant wildflowers makes this is one of the absolute top national parks to visit in spring.
Additionally, Great Smoky Mountains is also a phenomenal destination in the fall, when a glorious display of colors covers the park’s slopes and valleys.
More About Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4. Death Valley National Park, California
It’s North America’s driest and hottest place, so you might want to avoid Death Valley National Park in summer. In spring, however, it’s one of the greatest destinations in the U.S.
It’s also one of the most popular spring break national parks in California, and the nearest national park to Las Vegas. The weather is pleasantly warm and sunny—it’s the peak tourist season in these parts.
In March and April, you can hike in amazing places like the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin and the badlands below Zabriskie Point without worrying about heat stroke.
That said, though, this is a bone-dry and warm place throughout the year, so always, always bring plenty of water and wear a hat. Spring also sees a burst of wildflowers in certain areas, a fantastic bonus to an already attraction-filled park.
More About Death Valley National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Death Valley Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Death Valley National Park
- Viewpoints
- Accommodation
5. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park is another of my absolute favorite parks in the United States. Set in the heart of southern Utah, the middle one of the state’s “Mighty 5” national parks, this is in my opinion one of the most underappreciated parks in the country.
It gets hot here in summer, so you’re encouraged to plan a visit in the spring season when temperatures are comfortable.
Make sure to not just drive through the park on Highway 12, which is one of the greatest national park roads in America, but take your time to really explore the park.
Go for a short hike, camp out in the desert and visit the historic Mormon village of Fruita, which is home to blossoming fruit orchards in spring. There’s plenty to see and do in Capitol Reef National Park.
More About Capitol Reef National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Capitol Reef Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Capitol Reef National Park
- Accommodation
6. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The oldest national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park is a huge park, encompassing about half of all the world’s hydrothermal sites. They are no fewer than 10,000 of those—a number that boggles the mind—and more than 300 of them are geysers, including the world-famous Old Faithful.
Located in northern Wyoming, with small sections in Idaho and Montana as well, the park still has plenty of snow in the beginning of spring. This winter wonderland, which is phenomenal to explore on snowshoes, might make the park harder to navigate in March, but it surely is stunning.
Later in the season, spectacular waterfalls fed by meltwater tumble down cliffs and into gorges.
This is also when the park’s famous herds of bison have their calving season and moose graze on young leaves, while grizzly bears awake from hibernation, making for some of the world’s greatest wildlife viewing opportunities.
If you’re looking for the best national parks to visit in May, Yellowstone is one of them.
More About Yellowstone National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Top Things To Do in Yellowstone National Park
- Best Spring Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
- Accommodation
7. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Young, bright green leaves appear on trees and new-born black bear cubs emerge from their dens. Nature awakes, redecorating once again the woods and hills of Shenandoah National Park after a grey and white winter.
Among Shenandoah’s many attractions are its numerous waterfalls. In spring, they’re at their peak, falling, flowing and tumbling down cliffs, ledges and slopes. Check out Dark Hollow Falls, Doyles River Falls, Whiteoak Canyon Falls and South River Falls.
Wildflowers, too, are a major highlight this time of year. The wildflowers start blooming toward the end of March, by which time most of the park’s facilities will have opened again as well.
The best place to enjoy the wildflowers in Shenandoah National Park is Big Meadows, a historic farming area that is now a controlled grassland. Additionally, Big Meadows is also a great area to see Shenandoah National Park wildlife, such as deer and black bears.
More About Shenandoah National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Shenandoah Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Shenandoah National Park
- Viewpoints
- Accommodation
8. Yosemite National Park, California
America’s most famous and—some would say—grandest national park, Yosemite National Park is absolutely sensational all-year round.
From its gloriously sunny summers to the warm colors of fall to its winter wonderlands, there’s always beauty to be found in Yosemite. Spring, however, is the most spectacular season of them all.
While March still has a decent covering of snow, April is when that all begins to melt. This is the start of prime waterfall season in Yosemite. By the end of the month, all its creeks, rivers and lakes are at their fullest, and cascades and epic waterfalls at their most powerful.
Knowing that Yosemite is home to some of the tallest waterfalls in North America should put it firmly atop your spring travel wish list. It is amazing throughout the year, but it is absolutely one of the best national parks to visit in the spring.
Try to get a room in the historic Majestic Yosemite Hotel, one of the most beautiful buildings in America’s national parks.
More About Yosemite National Park
9. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Located in southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park is a place that gets extremely hot during most of the year. Winter and spring are when you want to be there.
The park is split into two different areas that are totally different—located respectively on the western and eastern side of Tucson.
The Tucson Mountain District, in the west, protects a part of the Sonoran Desert, which is where you’ll find most of the park’s namesake plants, the towering saguaro cacti, true icons of the American Wild West.
The Rincon Mountain District, in the east, is wetter and much more rugged and varied. It is home to a wonderful biodiversity and many plants and animals that aren’t found in the Tucson Mountains.
In spring, desert vegetation blooms and the weather is ideal to hit the 165 miles (266 kilometers) of hiking trails in Saguaro National Park.
More About Saguaro National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Saguaro Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Saguaro National Park
- Accommodation
10. Big Bend National Park, Texas
If you’re suffering from winter cabin fever and looking for a remote wilderness adventure, Texas’ Big Bend National Park is one of the best USA national parks to visit in spring.
It lies in the southwestern corner of Texas, a region characterized by deep canyons, vast deserts and epic night skies.
It’s named after a “big bend” in the Rio Grande, which forms the border between the United States and Mexico, and is home to an exceptionally high number of fauna and flora. There are over 1,200 plant species in the park, in addition to 450 bird species and 75 mammals.
This is one of the best places in the country to find solitude, go bird watching, fossil hunting, mountain biking, kayaking and desert hiking. Additionally, Big Bend is also one of the darkest areas in America, one of the best national parks to see the Milky Way.
More About Big Bend National Park
11. Arches National Park, Utah
One of America’s most visited national parks, Arches National Park lies right next to Moab, Utah, one of the greatest national park gateway towns in the US. Protecting more than 2,000 natural rock arches, it is also among the most unique places in the world.
As this is Utah desert, you will want to visit this breathtaking park in spring, when temperatures aren’t as cold as they are in winter or as hot as in summer.
Hike the Park Avenue Trail, go see Delicate Arch (depicted on the state’s license plates) and take photos of The Windows area at sunset.
Another highlight is the Devils Garden trail, which leads you to more than seven arches, including Landscape Arch, the longest rock arch in the United States and one of the longest on Earth.
More About Arches National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Arches Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Arches National Park
- Best Views on the Arches Scenic Drive
- Accommodation
12. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
An underrated national park in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a super-fun place to spend a few days in spring.
Home to the largest sand dunes in North America, it’s an outdoor playground unlike any other. Every visitor has a blast in this park, from children to adults, from photographers to hikers and campers.
Even pets can have endless joy in the bubbling water of Medano Creek and the sand around the Visitor Center. Great Sand Dunes is one of America’s best national parks for dogs!
In spring, these massive mountains of sand offer exciting activities like sand boarding, sledding and nightly stargazing.
This is the perfect time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes because the sand won’t be too hot yet. Additionally, occasional rain showers make the sand more sturdy and Medano Creek’s fascinating waves a little bit bigger.
More About Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Top Things To Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Accommodation
Best National Parks by Month
Check out the following blog posts for the best national parks to visit in each specific month:
- December: Best National Parks to Visit in December
This is a brand new series I’ve started, so the list will be expanded as I publish new blog posts for each month.