ByOlivia Christine Hours

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Looking for recommendations for the best national parks to visit in Spring? This guide will help! With warmer weather and blooming flowers, spring is a great time of year to get outdoors and enjoy some time in nature. It’s also the perfect time to visit some of America’s most beautiful parks. 

I’ve brainstormed my favorite spring park experiences, and the favorites of my outdoorsy friends, to share this guide to some of the best national parks to visit during Spring!

Big Bend National Park, Highway, Road View
Source: Unsplash, Freddie Marriage

How To Get Free Entry To National Parks

How to get free or discounted entry.

Some national parks are free to access, but most will have an entry fee that starts at $20 a person. There are passes, however, that can basically get you into parks for little to nothing!

Here are a variety of annual or lifetime passes that offer free entry for certain groups of people:

  • Current US military members, military veterans, and their immediate families
  • 4th Graders (starting that school year through the following August)
  • Seniors ages 62-years and older
  • Those with documented permanent disabilities
  • Federal volunteers with 250 service hours

Simply pay a small registration fee for these passes and/or register for these passes online or in person at select locations listed on the National Park Service’s website. If none of these passes apply to you, there’s also the annual pass that pays for itself in just a few park visits each year! I get one every year and it is definitely worth it.

Lastly, don’t forget that there is National Parks week during April – which offers free park access on the first day of parks week. The parks week date varies each year but note, free days are often much busier.

Best National Parks to Visit in Spring

Beautiful outdoor adventures to enjoy from late March thru early June.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of America’s must-see landmarks for nature lovers and one of my top recommended national parks to visit in Spring.

The area is full of wildlife, geological sites, and views that feel like a painting! It’s a tourist hotspot throughout the year, but you can avoid the horrendous summer crowds by visiting in the spring.

Not only are there fewer people, the weather is pleasantly warm with highs of 70s during the day and lows of 44 at night. While you’re there, take a helicopter ride and take in the incredible views of the park from above. 

  • Entry fee for Grand Canyon National Park: $35 for private vehicles; valid for 7 days.
  • Best place to camp: Mather Campground (South Rim)
  • Best hotels to stay near the Grand Canyon: El Tovar, Red Feather Lodge
black female hiker looking at large canyon depth

Channel Islands

Channel Islands is another fantastic option for visiting a national park in the spring. Located on the coast of sunny California, it offers ocean views and proximity to some of California’s most well-known attractions.

Being in the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands have highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s in the spring. Keep in mind there is no hotel lodging on the islands, only camping, and services/concessions are limited. This spot is truly for huge adventurers.

Explore the islands by kayak with a guided tour of the area’s sea caves. 

  • Entry fee for Channel Islands National Park: No pass required. 
  • Best place to camp: Primitive camping is available on all of the 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 the spring. Its unique desert landscape and stunning views make it the perfect place to explore and experience nature in all its glory. Early spring is the best time to visit Death Valley, with highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s. If you are visiting in late May it will be very hot but still doable (I don’t recommend later than that).

How to get there? You can book a day trip from Las Vegas or drive yourself to the park on a road trip and explore on your own time. 

  • Entry fee for Death Valley National Park: $30 for private vehicles; valid for 7 days.
  • Best place to camp: Furnace Creek Campground
  • Best places to stay near Death Valley: The Inn at Death Valley
Woman, hiking alone in desert with dry grass and mountains in death Valley national Park

Capitol Reef

Springtime in Capitol Reef is a magical experience. This park’s stunning landscape comes alive with vibrant colors and blooming wildflowers. Visit at the very end of spring when the snow has melted and the weather is warmer and more outdoor adventure-friendly. It’s a bit colder here, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the high-30s. 

Don’t miss your chance to go stargazing in the park– it’s a bucket list experience you’ll never forget! 

  • Entry fee for Capitol Reef National Park: $20 for private vehicles.
  • Best place to camp: Fruita Campground
  • Best places to stay near Capitol Reef: Capitol Reef Resort, The Noor Hotel
view of Capitol Reef from the car parked on the roadside

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree is a must-visit for desert lovers. It’s one of the best national parks to visit in spring with weather here reaching average highs of around 85 degrees. Evenings are breezy, with 50-60 degrees on average during March and April.

Keep in mind that spring (April and May, in particular) are peak season times for Joshua Tree, so I’d recommend booking your accommodation early to secure your trip and avoid higher costs. If you are leading the adventure, ensure you don’t miss a thing with this self-guided driving tour. 

  • Entry fee for Joshua Tree National Park: $30 for private vehicles; valid for 7 days.
  • Best place to camp: Black Rock Campground, Indian Cove Campground, Ryan Campground
  • Best places to stay near Joshua Tree: AutoCamp Joshua Tree, Sacred Sands
Camper outdoors doing yoga in the desert near her tent in Joshua Tree

Biscayne

Biscayne is located in the Florida Keys, not far from Miami. The Florida park’s lush green foliage and crystal clear waters make it a perfect spot for outdoor activities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing.

Biscayne offers many opportunities to see wildlife, like sea turtles, manatees and over 600 native fish. April and May are the best months to visit, as the average temperature stays around 50-80 degrees, the perfect weather for exploring the outdoors.

See the best of Biscayne Bay on a small group boat tour and keep an eye out for dolphins on your cruise.  

  • Entry fee for Biscayne National Park: No pass required. 
  • Best place to camp: Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key (boat required to get to these remote islands)
  • Best places to stay near Biscayne: TownePlace Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites
Biscayne national park sign, water view
Source: Unsplash, Ilse Orsel

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, spectacular views, and mild weather. The warm temperatures and calm seas make it the perfect place for you to swim, snorkel, or kayak.

During March, the temperatures are a bit cooler, ranging from 70-85 degrees. By May the temperature will reach highs of around 90 degrees, so enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts!

Stay in Key West, Florida, and explore the town by old town trolley. 

The Everglades

Visiting the Everglades National Park in the spring is a truly memorable experience. Take in the local nature, from alligators to birds to wildflowers. You can also enjoy outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and hiking.

Plus, you can witness some of the most beautiful sunsets in Florida. If you like cooler, more comfortable weather, go to the park in early spring when the usual temperature is a sunny 75.

Activity recommendation: see the Everglades and its wildlife with an airboat tour and wildlife show. 

Haleakalā

Spring is a stunning time to take a trip to Hawaii. Haleakalā is one of Hawaii’s nine national parks. In early spring, you will be able to avoid crowds and enjoy temperatures ranging from 65-78 degrees in March and April. While you’re there, visit the Pools of Oheo or watch the sunset at Haleakala Summit.

If this park is on your list, make sure you see it at sunrise on a sunrise tour– the views are unreal!

Haleakala national park, sunrise, cloud views
Source: Unsplash, Josh Bean

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park isn’t an easy place to get to but an otherworldly experience. The spring weather here is comfortable and breezy. You can expect highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s from April to March. Keep in mind that Hawaii is known for its rainy season from fall to mid-spring, so come prepared.

Stretch your legs and delve into the geological history of the park with an afternoon hike with a guide. 

Big Bend

Big Bend National Park is a stunning desert getaway full of rich history, natural hot springs, and beautiful views. Located in Texas, it’s no secret that springtime is an absolutely gorgeous time to visit this national park, so expect crowds.

Spring is Big Bend’s busiest season. The weather is comfortable and warm, usually averaging highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. 

Big Bend National Park, Welcome Sign
Source: Unsplash, Adam Lerner

Congaree

Last but not least on my list of the best national parks to visit in the spring is Congaree. Congaree is located in central South Carolina and offers stunning views of some of the tallest trees in the USA. It is also one of the best national parks to visit on the east coast.

I recommend soaking up the sights on a boat ride down the Congaree river. Weather in the springtime is comfortable, but still a bit warmer than other parks on this list. You could expect highs of up to 90 degrees towards the end of spring, with lows rarely reaching below 55 degrees.

Have you been to any of these National Parks?

Spring is a great time to get out into nature and watch the seasons shift into warmer weather and more colorful natural sights.

National parks are prime locations to go for hikes, kayak, enjoy a picnic or jump into other low-impact activities. Whether you’re looking for an adventure involving animals, water or desert sunsets, there’s a national park with just what you’re looking for this spring. 

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