Spring is the most beautiful season all around the country—even science agrees! Days are longer, flowers are blooming, trees are full of leaves, and the weather is just perfect outside.
We could go on and on about the beauty of spring and why everyone should make the most of it! If you are looking for ideas to explore around America’s best national parks, then you are reading the perfect article.
We have created our top pick of National Parks in the US for locals and travelers to visit during spring. Well, honestly, not all of the national parks in America are in their best shape; hence we have prepared a must-visit list for you to plan your spring travels.
For more information on times to visit the different national parks in the US and other travel-related useful tips from around the world, you can check out anytraveltips.com.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is gorgeous all throughout the year. But the best time to visit is during May when you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of waterfalls to the fullest.
You’ll see spring thaw melting the snow from winter, making your trip worthwhile. Late April and early May is the perfect time to experience the beauty of nature in Yosemite National Park.
There are more famous outdoor attractions than just the waterfalls, including the dogwood eruption and the Half Dome. Don’t forget to take a moment at Mirror Lake located at the end of Yosemite Valley, which is likely to be full, giving you a clear reflection of the granite dome.
Pinnacles National Park, California
If you are in California during spring, then Pinnacles National Park should be at the top of your list. It is a two-hour drive from the center of San Francisco, making it a perfect day trip for many.
Summer nights can be very warm, with an average of 93°F, which can be too hot and uncomfortable for walks and hikes. This is exactly why you should not wait until summer to visit Pinnacles National Park—spring is definitely the best time to wander around.
The highlight of the park is the breathtaking wildflowers blooming to welcome spring. You’ll see shades of red, purple, and yellow flowers as you walk around the park. For hikers, the best part is the High Peaks Loop, Juniper Canyon Trail, and Balconies Trail for views of wildflowers.
Pinnacles National Park also includes Bear Gulch Caves, which is yet another spot to visit while you are there. It has drawn the attention of adventure lovers as you have the option to rock climb on the park’s volcanic rock surfaces.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is located in Utah, and if you know about summers in Utah, you know that the weather can be sizzling. The heat can be too much for many, so the earlier you go, the better. Early spring is relatively cooler, making it a great place to visit with your friends and family for outdoor excursions.
You’ll see fewer visitors there enjoying the flowing waterfalls falling over the melted snow. The gigantic canyon walls touch the sky with miles of trails for people to hike.
You’ll observe a combination of orange and pink landscapes with canyons and sandstone cliffs. You’ll also experience greenery in spring, complementing the hues glistening in the sun.
You might meet with other species of mammals, birds, and plants, as at Zion National Park. Many travel backpackers say that this park is the most beautiful one of all in America.
Olympic National Park
The great Olympic National Park in the US should not be skipped by tourists or locals. Spring is the best time to view its beauty. It is known as one of the most diverse national parks out there.
When you visit, gear up to experience high alpine mountains, which are one of the largest temperate rainforests in America. The coastline steals the show which runs along the northwest tip of the lower 48.
This park can be visited year-round due to its pleasant temperature. So even if you are not visiting the US during spring, you can still make plans to take a day trip to the Olympic National Park in other seasons.
Joshua Tree National Park
Another one on the list is Joshua Tree—one of the top National Parks to visit in spring. It is located near Los Angeles, offering the perfect getaway from city life.
It is full of Joshua trees, cactus gardens, unusual rock formations, and rugged desert cliffs. Spring is the ideal time to visit due to the moderate daytime weather (25-30 Celcius) that cools down to 10 Celsius at night.
You can even experience cactus blooming if you are lucky, which is more likely to happen in March and April.
The natural splendors of spring in Joshua Tree National Park are worth your visit. The colors of wildflowers spreading across the area are quite a sight to see.
Usually, wildflowers in the park bloom in the lower region of Pinto Basin, along the south coast a few weeks before springtime. Then it reaches its peak in March and April.
If there’s rain during spring, you may even come across common flowers that bloom from the cacti. In addition, 18 different species of lizards call this national park home.
Saguaro National Park
One more marvelous sight that you cannot miss is the Saguaro National Park, particularly in spring. Many people seem to be unaware of its existence—a real miss because it’s truly breathtaking.
Saguaro Park was founded in 1994 with the intention to protect the nation’s largest cacti—the Saguaro—which makes this park iconic. The cacti grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) tall in the area of the Sonoran Desert.
It is located in Southern Arizona and extends through the valley floor surrounding the city of Tucson.
If you visit during spring, you will see the beautiful colors of wildflowers blooming over the desert landscape. It looks like a rainbow over the desert line, which makes this place even more special in spring.
Flowers such as red penstemons, gold Mexican poppy, and desert marigolds take over the lands where shrubs, trees, cacti such as hedgehogs, creosote bushes, and chollas bloom. This place is also a top pick for history lovers—you won’t be disappointed to explore some of the prehistoric petroglyphs.
There are also animals that reside in this park to make it more interesting. Watch out for desert tortoises, javelinas, deers, black bears, owls, and coyotes in the higher lands of the park.
Redwood National & State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks is a group of some of the most impressive destinations in America. This area is home to some of the largest, tallest, and oldest trees in the world!
It has been stated by experts that these trees have a lifespan of 2000 years, and they can grow over 90 meters (300 feet) tall. A walk in one of these parks can be really peaceful and calming.
Some people have also expressed that they felt like walking through the sets of a fairytale movie. On top of the amazing old-growth forests, Redwoods National and State Parks also protect 37 miles of rugged coastline, making it a very diverse park for visitors to explore.
Conclusion
Over more than a century, the National Park Service has designated millions of acres to preserve the beauty of nature. They have been successfully promoting natural landscapes to locals as well as tourists, offering them recreational activities, a source of enjoyment, inspiration, and education.
There are a total of 63 national parks in the US, so feel free to explore the rest of them too. They have drawn millions of tourists and locals every year for the past decade for day trips or a family camping experience in the parks.
We hope this list has been insightful for you—now don’t wait any longer to plan your day trip to one of these national parks.
