{"id":12413,"date":"2021-03-13T21:43:15","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T21:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/?p=12413"},"modified":"2023-10-27T07:13:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T07:13:42","slug":"best-national-parks-to-visit-in-the-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/best-national-parks-to-visit-in-the-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"Best National Parks to Visit in the Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking for ideas on the best national parks to visit in the spring? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring is one of the best time of the year to head out on an adventure in the USA, especially if gawk-inspiring vistas is what you’re after but you don’t necessarily want to share them with hoards of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re looking for desert magic, mountainous terrains lined by wildflowers or some serious beach goodness, here are the best national parks to visit in the spring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best National Parks to Visit in the Spring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Redwood National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Courtesy of Emily Mandagie @ The Mandagies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the best national parks to visit in the spring season is Redwood National Park<\/a>, which is one of the most unique places to visit in California<\/a>! The park only sees about 500,000 visitors every year, making it an area of relative solitude in the spring season, considering visitation numbers from other popular parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring is a great time to visit because it’s located on the California Coast, where the weather is temperate and mild. I also love the variety of terrain in the park – one minute I could be walking along the rugged coastline, and the next, walking among the lush green ferns and towering trees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things to do here is go hiking among the tall trees! Some of my favorite trails include Fern Canyon Trail, Boy Scout Tree Trail, and Stout Grove Trail. If it’s raining (it’s in the Pacific Northwest after all!) I like to take one of the many scenic drives in the park. Avenue of Giants is a historic route in the park with tons of fun stops, but I especially love Cal-Barrel Road for its rugged and natural scenery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, no trip to the Redwoods is complete without a weekend of camping! My favorite campground near the park is Patrick’s Point State Park which has access to lots of different sections of the park, and also amenities like groceries and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National park recommended by Emily Mandagie @ The Mandagies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Courtesy of Carrie Mann @ Trains Planes and Tuk Tuks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a local, spring is my favorite time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for two reasons: wildflowers and waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Smokies is one of the best east coast national parks<\/a> to visit during the spring. It’s home to over 100 waterfalls and during spring, when torrential rains hit a couple of times a week, these cascades are at their peak flows. I always like to do the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop at this time of year – it\u2019s one of the quickest hikes in the smokies<\/a> that takes you to three of the park\u2019s most beautiful falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re more interested in summits and views, spring brings amazing wildflower hikes. My favorites are mountain laurels (March-June) and rhododendrons (June-July above 5,500 feet). You\u2019ll find early rhodo blooms around Rocky Top and late-season blooms in Deep Gap. Lonesome Pine Overlook is an epic mountain laurel hike as early as mid-March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one downside to spring in the Smokies is the weather can be rainy. Luckily it tends to be wet a few times a week, with dry days in between. But if you\u2019re planning hikes with river crossings, expect very high water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flipside, rain keeps the crowds away and turns everything the most vibrant green I\u2019ve ever seen. It brings moody, atmospheric fog to the high-elevation pine forests. This is also a great time of year for backpacking, since you can get a last-minute permit at any shelter or campsite you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, spring in the Smokies means bear cubs! Yes, it can be a bit unnerving to stumble upon a mother and her cubs, but the cubs are adorable and the mothers are more afraid of you than you are of them. Baby deer and elk are another highlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National park recommended by Carrie Mann @ Trains Planes and Tuk Tuks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grand Teton National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Courtesy of Brittany Stretchbery @ Family On Standby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Grand Teton<\/a> is one of the most beautiful, and sometimes overlooked, national parks in America. Springtime in the Tetons is dramatically different than all other times of the year. And while it\u2019s not your
typical spring break destination, here\u2019s why it’s one of the best national parks to visit in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you visit Grand Teton in March or April, there will be places that are closed to the public. The area is still thawing out and you won\u2019t be sitting by the lake in your swimsuit. But don\u2019t let that stop you because the park is open year-round. And if you\u2019re wondering why to visit a place that is practically shut down, it\u2019s because you\u2019ll have a private viewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I recommend is setting up base in Jackson, Wyoming. You\u2019ll be a short 5-mile drive from Grand Teton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Jackson is filled with things to do. Spring ski season is in full effect and you can enjoy some of the nation\u2019s best skiing, with warmer temperatures than you would typically endure in winter. Bring an RV or rent a modern cabin at the Fireside Resort. Or splurge on the hotel Jackson. And after hitting the slopes, treat yourself at one of the delicious restaurants in downtown Jackson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Jackson, you can make the short trek into Grand Teton. You\u2019ll be able to view the gorgeous snow-capped mountains and get your picture in front of the famous T.A. Moulton Barn without a crowd of tourists in your background. This is also a great time for private wildlife viewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grand Teton can get super crowded in the summer and fall months. If you love snowy seasons, a trip to Grand Teton in the spring may be right up your alley. Book a ranger-led snowshoe walk or snowmobiling tour, and you\u2019ll do something not many people ever get to experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National park recommended by Brittany Stretchbery @ Family On Standby<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sequoia National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Located in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada in California, Sequoia National Park is a must visit when travelling the West Coast<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will never forget the moment we entered the park I immediately had to abruptly slam on the brakes of my car for a bear that crossed my path. An hour later, I was lucky enough to see a mama bear with two little ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to visit the park during spring so you can enjoy the green oasis of nature to the fullest. Spring is also the best time if you are an adventure seeker and planning to climb Mount Whitney (the tallest mountain in the “lower 48” states). The High Sierra Trail leaves from Giant Forest on the west side of Sequoia National Park, and is about 60 miles (100 km) one-way. It takes a minimum of 6 days (one way) or 10 days (round trip) to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great attraction in Sequoia National Park and also the most famous one, is General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume. He is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old and the star of the park! Don\u2019t forget to drive through the Tunnel Log, which is in fact the log of a real Sequoia tree! I swear it will be worth the wait!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National park recommended by Stephanie @ St\u00e9phanie, Bey Of Travel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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