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I absolutely adore RVing in the spring. The weather tends to be warm and sunny, but not so warm that boondocking is uncomfortable, meaning we can comfortably camp off grid for weeks at a time. It’s also an ideal time for hiking and spending time in nature, making it one of the best times of year to check out some of our country’s national parks.
Want to spend some of your spring in national parks? My family has visited a good number of parks during the springtime and so far, these are our favorites for this time of year.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina
My family has visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park a total of three times during the spring and I have loved it each and every time. This park is referred to as the “Wildflower National Park” for a reason and that reason becomes very apparent during the spring months when so many flowering plants are in bloom.
On top of that, we have found that spring is an ideal time to see animals in this park. We’ve gotten surprisingly close to some black bears and have also spotted turkeys, deer, and a variety of other critters. If you want to see animals, I highly recommend a drive through Cade’s Cove with some stops for quick hikes along the way.
Lastly, I have to mention the waterfalls in the park. These are in full flow during the spring thanks to snowmelt and lots of rainfall. I recommend checking out Laurel Falls and Abrams Falls specifically.
Yosemite National Park, California
We actually visited Yosemite in late summer. That said, I am told the park is spectacular during the spring thanks to the snowmelt, which causes Yosemite’s famous waterfalls to flow in full force. From what I understand, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall roar with incredible power during April and May and based on what I saw in August, I’m guessing this is pretty incredible.
Of course, you’ll also find plenty of wildflowers during the spring months. This park is home to some beautiful meadows and these are an ideal spot for colorful flowers to bloom. In fact, in early spring, you might get a chance to enjoy both wildflowers and snow capped peaks.
Finally, I must mention the crowds. When we were there, the crowds were a little over the top. That was because summer is the peak season in Yosemite. Visit in early spring, and the crowd levels will be much lower, making for a more pleasant experience. Just keep in mind that some higher elevation roads may be closed and plan accordingly!
Big Bend National Park, Texas
I was surprised by how much I adored Big Bend National Park, and early spring is the perfect time to visit. This park gets unbearably hot during the summer and winter can see some super chilly nights. That said, spring is relatively mild and absolutely perfect for dry camping, which is what we did while we were there.
During spring, you will find bluebonnets, prickly pear blossoms, and yucca flowers, adding some color to the landscape. It’s also warm enough to enjoy swimming or wading in the Rio Grande without being too hot for hiking to the best spots to do so. Best of all, the stargazing in this park is amazing and while it might be slightly better in winter, the warmer spring weather makes the experience more comfortable.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades is one of my favorite national parks and we have visited multiple times over the years. Most of our visits have been in winter, which is fine, but because the weather was a bit warmer, our spring visit was my favorite of all.
Like winter, spring is the dry season in this park, meaning wildlife has a tendency to gather around what wetlands remain, making the animals easier to spot. We have spotted turtles, a huge number of different birds, and countless alligators in the park during this time. The best wildlife spotting experience? The nighttime ranger walk along the Anhinga Trail, which allowed us to see gators in their most active state.
I also appreciated that the number of mosquitoes remained relatively low into the spring months, meaning you can enjoy hiking, kayaking, and airboat tours without being eaten alive. This cannot be said of the summer.
Padre Island National Seashore
Okay, so technically this one isn’t a national park, but it is an NPS site and one I have specifically been meaning to visit during the spring. We visited during January and it was absolutely lovely. We stayed in Malaquite Campground, which is an NPS-run dry camping campground that sits right on the beach and it was incredible.
The only problem? It was too cold to really enjoy the beach. I swore to myself then and there that I would return during the spring one day and have been thinking about it ever since. I think this would be the perfect season to visit because the nights would still be cool enough to enjoy dry camping on the beach, but the days would be warm enough to play in the sand comfortably and possibly even go for a swim, depending on how brave you happen to be.
Why Spring Is the Perfect Season for National Parks
As you can see, there are a number of wonderful national park sites to visit in the spring. By visiting in spring, you will get to enjoy wildflowers, active wildlife, powerful waterfalls, fewer crowds, and comfortable temperatures. If you ask me, those are the perfect ingredients for an incredible outdoor adventure that you won’t soon forget. Why not start planning today?
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