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Looking for recommendations on the best national parks to visit in spring? This guide will help you! Spring is a great time to get outdoors and spend time in nature, as the weather warms and flowers bloom. It's also the perfect time to visit some of America's most beautiful parks.
I brainstormed some of my favorite spring park experiences and some of my outdoor-loving friends' favorites to share this guide with some people. National parks to visit in spring!
How to enter free national parks
How to get free or discounted admission.
Some national parks are free to enter, but most have entrance fees starting at $20 per person. But there is a pass that basically gets you into the park for almost free!
Here are a variety of annual or lifetime passes that offer free admission to specific groups of people:
- Current members of the U.S. military, veterans, and their immediate families
- 4th grade (from the relevant grade until the following August)
- Seniors aged 62 years or older
- People with documented permanent disabilities
- Federal Volunteer with 250 Hours of Service
You can pay a small registration fee for this pass, register online, or register the pass in person at a specific location listed on the National Park Service website. If none of these passes apply to you, there are also annual passes that can pay for themselves in just a few park visits each year! I get one every year. And it's definitely worth it.
Lastly, don't forget that there's National Parks Week in April. On the first day of National Park Week, access to the park is free. Park week dates vary each year, but free days are often much busier.
National parks to visit in spring
This is a beautiful outdoor adventure that can be enjoyed from late March to early June.
grand canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of America's must-see landmarks for nature lovers, and one of my top national parks to visit in the spring.
This area is full of wildlife, geological sites, and picturesque scenery! Although it's a year-round tourist attraction, visiting in the spring allows you to avoid summer's terrible crowds.
Not only are there fewer people, but the weather is pleasantly warm, with a daytime high of 70 degrees and a night low of 44 degrees. While you're there, take a helicopter ride and get amazing views of the park from above.
- Grand Canyon National Park entrance fees: $35 for personal vehicles; Valid for 7 days.
- Best places to camp: Mother Campground (South Rim)
- Some of the best hotels to stay near the Grand Canyon are: El Tovar, Red Feather Lodge
channel islands
The Channel Islands are another fantastic option for visiting a national park in spring. Located on the sunny California coast, this hotel offers ocean views and is close to some of California's most popular attractions.
Spring highs and lows in the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean are in the 60s and lows in the 50s. Please keep in mind that there is no hotel accommodation on the island, only camping is allowed and services/discounts are limited. This place is for true adventurers.
Explore the island by kayak with a guided tour of the local sea caves.
- Admission fee channel islands A national park: No pass required.
- Best places to camp: Primitive camping is possible on all islands, but check the government site for rules and restrictions.
- Best places to stay near Channel Islands: Cliff House Inn on the Ocean, Amanzi Hotel
death valley
Death Valley National Park is the perfect national park to visit in spring. The unique desert landscape and stunning views make it the perfect place to explore and experience the splendid nature. early Spring is the best time to visit Death Valley. Highs will be in the 80s and lows will be in the 50s. If you visit at the end of May very Hot but still doable (not recommended after that).
How to get there? You can book a day trip from Las Vegas or drive to the park yourself on a road trip and explore on your own time.
- Death Valley National Park entrance fee: $30 for personal vehicles; Valid for 7 days.
- Best places to camp: Furnace Creek Campground
- Best places to stay near Death Valley: The Inn at Death Valley
capitol reef
Spring at Capitol Reef is a magical experience. The park's stunning scenery comes alive with vivid colors and blooming wildflowers. Visit towards the end of spring when the snow has melted and the weather is warmer and more suitable for outdoor activities. It's a little colder here. High temperatures are in the mid 60s and lows are in the low 30s.
Don't miss the opportunity to stargaze in the park. It will be a bucket list experience you will never forget!
- Admission fee capitol reef A national park: $20 for personal vehicles.
- Best places to camp: Fruita Campground
- Best places to stay near Capitol Reef: Capitol Reef Resort, The Noor Hotel
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is a must-visit for desert lovers. This is one of the best national parks to visit in the spring, when average high temperatures reach around 85 degrees. Evenings are breezy and temperatures average in the 50s and 60s in March and April.
Spring (especially April and May) is Joshua Tree's peak season, so it's a good idea to book your lodging early to secure your trip and avoid higher costs. If you're feeling adventurous, take a self-guided driving tour so you don't miss anything.
- Admission fee Joshua Tree A national park: $30 for personal vehicles; Valid for 7 days.
- Best places to camp: Black Rock Campground, Indian Cove Campground, Ryan Campground
- Best places to stay near Joshua Tree: AutoCamp Joshua Tree, Sacred Sands
Biscayne
Biscayne is located in the Florida Keys, not far from Miami. The Florida park's lush green foliage and clear waters make it the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
Biscayne offers many opportunities to see wildlife, including sea turtles, manatees and more than 600 species of native fish. April and May are the best months to visit. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities, with average temperatures hovering around 50 to 80 degrees.
See the best of Biscayne Bay on a small group boat tour and spot dolphins on a cruise.
- Admission fee Biscayne A national park: No pass required.
- Best places to camp: Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key (you need a boat to get to these remote islands)
- Best places to stay near Biscayne: TownePlace Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites
Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas is a remote island paradise and one of the best national parks to visit in spring due to its unique wildlife, stunning views, and mild weather. Warm temperatures and calm waters make it the perfect place for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.
Temperatures in March are slightly cooler, around 70 to 85 degrees. Temperatures will reach up to 90 degrees in May, so enjoy the cool weather while it lasts!
When you stay in Key West, Florida, take the Old Town Trolley and explore the town.
everglades
Visiting Everglades National Park in the spring is a truly memorable experience. Experience the local nature, from alligators to birds and wildflowers. You can also enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking.
You can also see some of the most beautiful sunsets in Florida. If you prefer cooler, more comfortable weather, visit the park in early spring when temperatures average 75 degrees.
Recommended activities: See the Everglades and wildlife on airboat tours and wildlife shows.
House of the Sun
Spring is a great time to take a trip to Hawaii. Haleakala is one of Hawaii's nine national parks. You can avoid the crowds in early spring and enjoy temperatures between 65 and 78 degrees in March and April. While you're there, visit the Pools of Oheo or watch the sunset from Haleakala Summit.
If this park is on your list, be sure to go there at sunrise on a sunrise tour. The scenery is unreal!
hawaii volcano
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may not be easy to get to, but it offers an otherworldly experience. The spring weather here is comfortable and refreshing. From April through March, you can expect highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Hawaii is known for its rainy season from fall to mid-spring, so be prepared.
Stretch your legs and explore the park's geological history on a guided afternoon hike.
big bend
Big Bend National Park is a stunning desert retreat filled with rich history, natural hot springs, and beautiful views. It's no secret that spring is the best time to visit this national park in Texas, so expect crowds.
Spring is Big Bend's busiest season. The weather is comfortable and warm, with average highs usually in the 80s and lows in the 60s.
Kongari
Last on our list of the best national parks to visit in spring is Congaree. Congaree is located in central South Carolina and offers spectacular views of the tallest trees in the United States. It is also one of the best national parks to visit on the East Coast.
We recommend taking a boat ride along the Congaree River to enjoy the scenery. Spring weather is comfortable, but still slightly warmer than other parks on this list. By the end of spring, high temperatures are expected to reach the 90s and lows rarely fall below 55 degrees.
Have you ever been to the following national parks?
Spring is a great time to get out into nature and watch the seasons change to warmer weather and more colorful natural landscapes.
National parks are great places to hike, kayak, picnic, or enjoy other low-impact activities. Whether you're looking for an adventure involving animals, water, or desert sunsets, there's a national park that has what you're looking for this spring.
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