Share the article
Last updated
Letting the sheer majesty of America’s national parks take your breath away and refresh your mind is an experience travelers from all over the world crave.
Although nature is beautiful all year round, variables such as seasonal closures, crowds and weather conditions are important to consider when planning a trip.
We know that when winter starts to thaw, everyone wants to get outside. That’s why we’ve put together our list of the seven best national parks you can visit.
Factors such as best weather, seasonal natural phenomena, entry requirements and upcoming events were prioritized in creating the following list.
Cuyahoga National Park
We all dream of the surreal landscapes of national parks out West, but have you heard of this Midwestern gem?
Located about an hour south of Cleveland, at Cuyahoga you’ll discover rushing waterfalls and interesting land formations carved from glaciers.
But the real reason to visit this season is that the park falls in the path of totality for the highly anticipated solar eclipse of 2024.
On April 8 at 3:13 a.m., the moon will completely cover the sun.
Visitors can expect totality to last about 4 minutes and should prepare for traffic and crowds as many will gather to witness the eclipse.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The rolling mountains of Appalachia are the perfect place to trade life’s stressors for clear springs, dense forests and secluded waterfalls.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to more than 1,500 species of flowering plants that come to life in the spring (more biodiversity than any other park in North America!).
If you can visit on May 1-4, you can visit the national parks 74th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.
This festival includes professionally guided walks providing information on local flora and fauna, exhibitions and various workshops on everything from pottery to foraging.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
A visit to this lesser-known national park is a unique experience.
Home to the highest sand dunes in the country. You can hike to the top for surreal views of the adjacent dunes and mountains.
Adrenaline seekers can rent equipment and join the fun of sandboarding through the dunes.
Located 200 miles south of Denver, spring is the best time to visit this national park before the weather turns uncomfortably warm.
Spring visitors will also benefit from arriving in time to head to the Medano Creek, a seasonal river created by the melting of mountain snow.
Hot Springs National Park
If chasing the rare eclipse totality is a priority for you, this underrated national park is a great spring destination.
One of only two national parks that will experience totality this year, you can watch the solar eclipse from Hot Springs on April 8.
The charming surrounding city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, will host all kinds of eclipse festivities, including music festivals and vendor booths.
Spring is also the perfect time to enjoy the wonderful hot springs while daytime temperatures are still cool.
Joshua Tree National Park
This surreal desert ecosystem is best visited in the spring, before the stifling heat of summer sets in.
You’ll find all kinds of weird and wacky plants in these landscapes, from various cacti to the iconic gnarled Joshua trees.
Another benefit of visiting in the spring is seeing the flowers bloom in a neon color reminiscent of the trees from the movie The Lorax.
And while more national parks than ever have called for timed entry and advance reservations, Joshua Tree currently doesn’t require either.
Yellowstone National Park
If you want more solitude and fewer selfie sticks, spring is the time to visit this wildly popular park.
Yellowstone is home to the greatest density of wildlife in the lower 48 states, and a visit in April is a magical time to see baby animals.
Young bison feed alongside their mothers, bear cubs emerge from their dens and packs of wolves play with their cubs during this special time of year.
Valley of Death
This national park lives up to its name, as daytime highs of 120 degrees in summer can be dangerous.
Death Valley’s landscape is fascinating and varied: you can view the lowest point in North America (Bad Water Basin), or look out over rolling hills and geological formations.
This national park is one of the most epic places in the US for stargazing Dark Sky Festival March 1-3 this year.
The festival includes educational talks on astronomy and the opportunity to learn from scientists in the park.
Wildflower blooms bring the national park into full color during the spring months.
And when conditions are perfect, you can witness a rare super bloom: a desert phenomenon in which an unusually large number of wildflowers bloom at once.
If you’re willing to brave potential crowds for a deal, all national parks will have free admission on April 20, 2024 to kick off National Park Week.
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
