Summer vacation might dictate the busiest season across the National Park Service, but just because the parks are crowded with people doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best time to visit. While mountainous parks like Glacier National Park and Yosemite National Park are hammered with snow, closing roads throughout winter and spring, plenty of other parks are reaching their heyday. Known as “Shoulder Season Parks,” these parks reach peak conditions outside the typical summer window.
Knowing these shoulder season parks and the best time to visit will not only help you beat the crowds (and the heat) but also allow you to see these breathtaking parks in their mind-blowing glory!
Arches National Park, Utah
With extreme temperatures radiating against the red rock and creating an oven-like effect, it’s surprising that summer is the most popular time to visit Arches National Park. This wonderland of red rocks is the true definition of a “shoulder season park,” with ideal conditions in early spring and late fall. Forget trudging through the heat, risking heat exhaustion with the crowds, and do yourself a favor by planning an early spring trip! The weather is perfect for hiking popular trails like Delicate Arch and Park Avenue, and the sea of wildflowers that dominate the park is a sight to be seen! Hot temperatures begin to creep in come April, and snow can still linger in February. Hence, a March visit is the sweet spot.
Besides, it’s the last month you can visit the park on a whim before the timed-entry system starts in April!
More Information on Timed Entry: Timed Entry Reservation – Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Another desert park prone to extreme summer and winter temperatures, a March visit to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a no-brainer! Whether you want to take in the awe-inspiring views from the rim at Mather Point or take the bucket list journey down to Phantom Ranch, nestled at the bottom of the canyon, a spring adventure is the way to go. With spring break right around the corner, a March visit tends to be the calm before the storm when it comes to crowds. Enjoy a peaceful canyon stroll with comfortable temperatures before the busy season begins in full swing.
Can’t avoid a summer visit? Head to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead! Closed from October 15th to May 15th, this remote portion of the canyon sees little foot traffic throughout the summer months. Since it’s a thousand feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, it experiences more bearable summer temperatures.
Redwood National Park, California
Located along the California coast, there is never a bad time to visit Redwood National Park. However, something about a March visit blows the rest of the months right out of the water. The perfect combination of spring greenery and magical solitude makes this park of towering giants feel like a fairytale. Walk amongst an oasis of bright green mosses and ferns as you marvel at some of the oldest trees in the country. You may not want to swim in the ocean, but just sitting in the sand admiring the powerful waves is enough to light a fire in your heart. Listen to the sounds of critters welcoming the warmer weather and admire the Roosevelt Elk that calls this place home.
You can also visit the iconic Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach without a day-use reservation. The list goes on forever!
More Information on Day-Use Reservations: https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/ferncanyonpermits.htm
Pinnacles National Park, California
A March visit to Pinnacles National Park can be summed up in one word: Superbloom. While perfect weather and minimal crowds are just icing on the cake, the wildflowers make spring special in this desert park. This beautiful landscape becomes a rainbow palette of unique wildflowers, transforming each trail into a photographer’s dream. The Moses Spring Trail and Rim Trail loop is the star of the park, with picturesque rock formations, an inviting cave, and wildflowers galore!
Just remember to stay on the trail, as trampling and picking the wildflowers is not only illegal but also detrimental to the livelihood of these incredible blooms.
Death Valley National Park, California
Another California gem, Death Valley National Park, has more to offer than its size. Known for being the largest national park in the lower 48, Death Valley has built a reputation as the land of extremes. Deadly summer temperatures and frigid winter weather limit visitation, but as spring approaches, both the land and the visitors rejoice. March offers some of the best weather conditions to visit the park and allows visitors to experience an uncommon phenomenon.
While extreme winter rains can cause destructive flooding, they also bring life to the park. Come March, the park is as wet as can be, with the endangered pupfish swimming in ephemeral streams and a normally dry basin now filled with water. In fact, this year, the park has seen more water than ever, and the iconic Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, has turned into a kayakable lake!
Olympic National Park, Washington
Home to various drastically different landscapes, Olympic National Park has everything from rugged mountain peaks to coastal rainforests and everything in between! While you probably won’t find yourself hiking up snow-covered mountains during a March visit, there are plenty of other exciting corners of the park to explore. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Sol Duc Hot Springs, go tide-pooling along the famous Ruby Beach, walk the Hall of Mosses trail through the temperate rainforest, and hold on to winter recreation up at Hurricane Ridge. There is something for everyone to enjoy during a spring visit to Olympic National Park!
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
With the winter blues still dominating most states on the mainland, a trip to Hawaii is always the right choice! Perfect year-round weather makes the island of Maui a haven for travelers needing sunshine. While March is the ideal time to visit Haleakala, the same can be said for the entire island! Crowds flock to the island during December and January, so hold off until March for the best experience. Besides, touching down on this island of lush greenery will feel that much more magical after you’ve endured a couple of winter months at home!
One of the best things to do in Maui is to visit Haleakala National Park, and it’s easy to see why. You can walk through a dense bamboo forest, marvel at the tallest waterfall in the park, Waimoku Falls, as it drops 400 feet, and experience a sunrise unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
Sunrise at the Haleakala Summit is very special (and extremely popular), so reservations are required for this experience.
Learn more here: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/253731/ticket/255
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Perfectly paired with New Mexico’s White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a great excuse to go on a spring road trip! The park is one of the least visited in the country, so you never have to worry about crowds, but Texas’ summer heat and winter winds are what you have to keep in mind. With a March visit, you won’t have to worry about heat stroke as you hike the famous Devil’s Hall Trail or get tossed around while summiting the one and only Guadalupe Peak. The blanket of colorful wildflowers is just a bonus!
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John Island
Another great escape from winter weather, Virgin Islands National Park is the perfect place to get your daily dose of sunshine. This collection of islands is known for being one of the best places for a Caribbean vacation. However, many people don’t realize that one of the main islands is home to a national park! Making up more than half of St. John Island, Virgin Islands National Park is an oasis of lush greenery, crystal clear turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and wildlife galore! March’s perfect weather and calm waves make hiking trails like Reef Bay and snorkeling along the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail a breeze!
