The Top National Parks for Spring Break
Spring Break in the Great Outdoors
While many spring break travelers will be heading to the beach others will flock to America’s national parks. As temperatures begin to climb and the days get longer, there are a handful of protected lands that stand out as ideal settings to host an unforgettable spring break getaway in 2022.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
The spring months of March, April and May are undoubtedly the best time to visit Southern California’s Joshua Tree National Park as the weather will be ideal for hiking during the day and stargazing at night. What’s more, visitors will have a chance to experience the park’s eye-popping trees along with vibrant wildflowers. Travelers can even enter for free on April 16 in celebration of the start of National Park Week.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is a dream destination come spring as the days get longer, allowing visitors additional time to explore the park’s copious hiking trails and capture photos of the wide range of plant life on display. While snow and crowds aren’t out of the question this time of year visitors who arrive early and book any camping or lodging reservations in advance are all but certain to come away with intentions of planning a return trip.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
The largest cacti in the country, the giant saguaro can be found in its namesake national park in Tucson, Arizona. This park is split up into two different districts, including the Rincon Mountains to the east where visitors can look forward to 128 miles of hiking trails. To the west, the Tucson Mountain District is home to desert scrub and desert grassland as well as a range of wildlife, including coyotes, quail and desert tortoise.
Arches National Park, Utah
Very few of the more than 1.5 million annual visitors to Utah’s Arches National Park come away disappointed. After all, this red rock wonder boasts more than 2,000 natural stone arches that travelers can experience on scenic hikes and learn more about while they stargaze the destination’s spectacular night sky.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
A hit with fall foliage seekers, for sure, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is equally as awesome in the spring when blooming wildflowers steal the show, reaching their peak just ahead of summer. Travelers to America’s most-visited national park will want to stay updated on the weather forecast when visiting this time of year as it can be unpredictable but, otherwise, the hiking and scenery are guaranteed to deliver a rewarding experience.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Utah is rich with awesome parks so some are bound to be overlooked. In the state’s south-central desert, Capitol Reef celebrated its 50th birthday this past December and will kick off its sixth decade as a preserved land with another stunning spring highlighting the best of red rock country. Visitors will encounter jaw-dropping cliffs and canyons and, of course, the park’s marquee attraction in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline that extends for nearly 100 miles.
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Located less than two hours from Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park isn’t as intimidating as its name might suggest, especially when you visit during the spring. The annual Death Valley Dark Sky Festival is scheduled for February 25-27, 2022, but late March and early April are usually when the park’s spring wildflowers achieve their peak. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll be able to say that you’ve experienced the nation’s hottest, driest and lowest national park.
Zion National Park, Utah
Like Arches and Capitol Reef, Zion National Park is an ideal destination to spend spring in Utah. Visitors will encounter far fewer crowds this time of year while still having numerous opportunities to explore the park’s mesmerizing red rocks, canyons and gardens. Plus, the wildflowers will be emerging and daytime temperatures will be on the rise, making longer stays more comfortable compared to the cold and often wet winter season.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park is pure perfection in the spring and the best part is that travelers can experience it from the comfort and convenience of their vehicle along the scenic 105-mile-long Skyline Drive. Plus, the park is home to more than 860 species of wildflowers and offers some of the best bird watching on the East Coast. Warmer temperatures and more hours of sunshine make Shenandoah’s hiking trails more enticing this time of year but visiting them midweek will result in reduced crowds.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Situated in between Denver and Santa Fe, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest dunes in North America. This park is not only expansive but diverse, featuring grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and even tundra. Sandboarding and sand sledding are among the top activities for springtime visitors but the park also offers horseback riding, hiking and camping as well as water adventures when Medano Creek archives peak flow in late May and early June.