Once spring has sprung, it’s time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. And what better way to experience nature than in some of our magnificent national parks?
We've handpicked the 15 best national parks for springtime revelry, from Tennessee to Alaska to California. Now it’s your turn to start planning a trip.
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Grand Canyon National Park
Where: Arizona
Seeing the canyon for the first time is an astounding experience, one that's hard to wrap your head around. Roughly 5 million visitors come to the park each year. You can access the canyon via two main points — the South Rim and the North Rim — but the South Rim is much easier to get to and therefore much more visited. The North Rim is closed from November through mid-May due to heavy snow, but the South Rim is open year round. There will be fewer crowds in the early spring (though not during spring break) than in the summer.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Grand Canyon National Park Guide
Saguaro National Park
Where: Arizona
Standing sentinel in the desert, the towering saguaro is perhaps the most familiar emblem of the Southwest. Known for their height (often 50 feet) and arms reaching out in weird configurations, these slow-growing giants can take 15 years to grow a foot high and up to 75 years to grow their first arm. A typical saguaro lives 150 years, but many survive more than 200 years. They are found only in the Sonoran Desert, and the largest concentration is in Saguaro National Park. In late spring (usually May), the succulent's top is covered with tiny white blooms — the Arizona state flower. The spring days from March through May are bright and sunny with wildflowers in bloom.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Saguaro National Park Guide
Death Valley National Park
Where: California
During the spring, this desert landscape is ablaze with greenery and colorful flowers, especially between Badwater and Ashford Mill. (Keep tabs on how the wildflowers are coming along on the park’s website. Peak season usually lasts about two weeks, typically in late March and early April.) Most of the park's 1 million annual visitors still come between late fall and early spring, taking advantage of moderate temperatures and the lack of rainfall. During these cooler months you will need to book a room in advance, but don't worry: the park never feels crowded.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Death Valley National Park Guide
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