Spring is perhaps the best time to plan a visit to one of the national parks in the United States.
In this post, we’ve put together a list of the best ones.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Spring is the ideal season to experience the so-called symbol of the American West, the giant saguaro cactus. Saguaro cacti are found only in a small part of the United States, yet here they are—approximately 1.8 million of them—standing as vast sentinels over the desert.
These curious plants are remarkable because they take a long time to grow, and their branches typically begin to appear only after a saguaro reaches 60–75 years of age. In some places, these “arms” can take more than 100 years to grow. An adult saguaro is considered to be 125 years old; it can weigh up to eight tons and stand as tall as 50 feet. At around 35 years of age, the saguaro begins to produce creamy white flowers, which open at night and close the following afternoon. The flowers bloom from late April through early June.
There are two districts of Saguaro National Park, east and west of Tucson. Between the two, there are more than 165 miles of hiking trails, ranging from short interpretive trails and petroglyph trails to full-day nature hikes. Aside from hiking, photography is obviously a favorite pastime in the park, along with camping and wildlife viewing in the field.
There is no lodging available, and RV camping is not permitted in the park, so look for places to stay in Tucson. If you plan to camp, you’ll need to hike to the campsites and bring your own water, as none is available in the park.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Among the most unique national parks is Isle Royale in Michigan; this is actually an archipelago consisting of more than 400 islands isolated from civilization by the vast waters of Lake Superior. Extreme weather forces this park to close for five to six months a year, but for lucky spring travelers, it will open on April 16.
Since the park is mostly water, boating is the best way to experience its beauty. Private boat owners (or renters) will find countless docks and mooring buoys to explore. Ferries also reach different parts of the park, and you can choose from numerous guided boat tours.
The park is remote, but there are two developed areas, Windigo and Rock Harbor. Ferries reach both towns. There are three dozen designated wilderness campsites scattered across the islands, some of which are accessible by trail and others only by canoe, kayak, or private boat.
Olympic National Park, Washington
In 1976, Olympic National Park was designated by UNESCO as an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1981, it became a World Heritage Site. Here, you can experience storms on the wild Pacific coast, glaciers in the mountains, and marvel at the beauty of moss-covered old-growth trees in the temperate rainforests of Hoh and Quinault.
There are many beach hiking trails, and camping is permitted. Spring is an ideal time for fishing or kayaking, as well as for watching gray and humpback whales heading north to Alaska from their wintering grounds in Mexico. Backcountry hiking and camping are also popular in the park, as few roads traverse its interior.
The rainforests are among the wettest areas in the U.S., making an extended trip into their green expanse an unforgettable experience. It’s also possible to spot black bears, moose, and mountain goats.
The park has 16 campgrounds, some with yurts or cabins, as well as lodges. If you prefer amenities, Lake Crescent Lodge and Sol Doc Hot Springs Resort are scenic options.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest cave system. With over 400 miles of explored passages, it is nearly twice as long as Mexico’s Sac Actun underwater cave and its famous chain of cenotes.
As its name suggests, Mammoth Cave is the main attraction, and the National Park Service offers a variety of cave tours for visitors.
In the state of Kentucky, horseback riding is popular in the park, and there are 60 miles of trails dedicated to horses with commercial tours available. Hiking is also a favorite pastime, with nearly 84 miles of trails throughout the park. Fishing is permitted on more than 30 combined miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers, which wind through the park.
The park has a small, rustic lodge; three developed campgrounds; and more than a dozen primitive campsites in remote areas. If you don’t want to take any chances, head to Bowling Green, where you’ll find lodging and dining options.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park preserves the mountains, forests, lakes, ponds, and coastline of Mount Desert Island, covering nearly half the island’s area. At the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the East Coast, visitors can be among the first in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
A total of 158 miles of hiking and biking trails allow you to explore the island’s interior, which includes seven mountain peaks over 1,000 feet, ancient stone bridges, and carriage roads. Black bears, moose, and deer can be spotted. Birdwatching is popular in the park, as more than 300 bird species have been recorded, the most famous being peregrine falcons. Due to their previously endangered status, recovery efforts are taken seriously, and some trails may be closed in the spring to avoid disturbing falcon families.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Established in 1906, Mesa Verde National Park preserves the archaeological heritage of ancient peoples. The Colorado park features some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the United States—more than 600 of them—along with over 5,000 archaeological sites.
Hiking is limited in the park due to the number of archaeological sites, so you should plan to see most of the park’s highlights by car. There are over 40 miles of roads with views of cliff dwellings, as well as interpretive stops at archaeological sites. You can join a ranger-led hike to the cliff dwellings, but tickets sell out almost immediately, so you should arrive early to reserve a spot. Tours of these impressive structures can be strenuous and involve hiking, climbing stairs, and more.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
The weather prevents the park from fully opening until the warmer months. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open year-round to welcome guests and provide interpretation and guidance on the park’s attractions. While the center houses a fossil preparation lab, it doesn’t open until June, when the weather allows archaeologists to dig.
Redwood National Park, California
Most people know Redwood National Park as the home of the tallest trees on Earth, but as part of a complex of contiguous state parks, it is also home to pristine beaches and rivers. Redwood, North Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek State Parks protect 139,000 acres of wilderness, including nearly half of all the ancient-growth redwood forests along the old-growth coast, 40 miles of coastline, and endangered species such as the northern spotted owl and Steller’s sea lion.
Redwood National Park was established in 1968, by which time nearly 90 percent of the original redwood trees had been cut down. The temperate rainforests that still remain in the park are the stars of these parks, making camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing the most popular activities for visitors.
While the state parks have campgrounds, hiking is the only way to reach the more remote campsites located in the federal sections. Towns on the north and south sides of the parks offer food and lodging.
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