The Top Family-Friendly National Parks to See this Spring
With 62 U.S. National Parks to choose from, picking the right one at the right time can be tough. And if you have a limited amount of vacation and school-free days to spend with your family it is important to choose wisely. In this article, travel bloggers recommend the top 15 U.S. National Parks to visit with kids, and explain why these parks are perfect for a spring break trip!
The Best National Parks to Visit with Kids in Spring
Spring brings so many good vibes. In Florida, flowers bloom, birds sing, and the weather is perfection -not too cold, not yet hot, and very little humidity. So traveling anywhere in the southern part of the U.S. in the spring is a great idea.
Perhaps you live in a climate that has abundant springtime snowfall, and you need a break from all that icy sleety frigid weather. Head to the arid desert landscapes or tropical climates with the kids to get outside and explore our glorious parks. Read our list below of the best national parks to visit with kids in spring, and start planning your next adventure!
Everglades
Located in south Florida, Everglades National Park is one of the largest national parks in the continental U.S. Any trip to the Everglades requires a detailed itinerary in order to see the highlights since the park covers 1.5 million acres of wetlands. And there is so much for kids to see and do inside this park!
Visiting this park in the spring is ideal, as it is before the summer crowds and the blazing heat. Wildlife is out in abundance during the spring, and you will miss traveling to south Florida during hurricane season.
In terms of wildlife viewing, the Everglades is chock-full of exotic animals that will probably be a highlight of your trip. Alligators, osprey, great blue herons, peacock bass, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, snails, egrets, dolphins and manatees all live in and around the park.
One of the best places to view wildlife is along the family-friendly Anhinga Trail. This one-mile trail is really a boardwalk, great for kids, strollers, and those with mobility issues. Alligators, turtles, and birds (yes, including flocks of anhinga!) like to hang out in this area and bask in the Florida sun.
A popular area for watersports of all kinds is in Flamingo, where visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and powerboats from the Flamingo Marina. From here you can choose to paddle up the canal into brackish water, or out into the salty water of the Florida Bay. Or, take a guided pontoon boat tour and see if the kids can spot dolphins, manatees, and colorful waterbirds.
Flamingo also offers one of the two main campgrounds in the park, with large RV and tent sites and waterfront “Eco-Tents” for those who prefer glamping. For a quality hotel close to the park, book a stay at the Courtyard by Marriot Miami/Homestead.
LEARN MORE: Plan an awesome Florida National Parks Road Trip
Zion
Zion National Park is a great national park to visit in the spring with kids. As one of the most visited national parks of Utah’s Mighty Five, spring is a great time to visit without too much of the crowds.
Don’t be mistaken; many people will still visit Zion in the spring, but fewer than in the summertime. Note that the Zion National Park shuttle is still mandatory in the spring along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
There are so many great little hikes to do with the kids in Zion National Park including:
- Lower Emerald Pool Trail: A 1.4-mile hike leading to a waterfall. Extending the hike to the Middle and Upper Emerald Pools is possible.
- Riverside Walk: A 2-mile-long accessible trail leading to the entrance of The Narrows trail.
- The Narrows Trail: One of the most popular hikes in Zion along with Angel’s Landing. It’s a 10-mile hike in the canyon. It’s not suitable for young children, but good hiking kids should be able to participate at around 10 years old. Be prepared to get your feet wet though!
If time allows, try to drive on the other side of the park and cross the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It’s beautiful and there are a few viewpoints along the way. Cars are allowed in this section of the park.
The best place to stay for visiting Zion National Park is Springdale. It’s a small town just outside Zion main entrance. There is a park shuttle bus that stops at most hotels in Springdale including the Bumbleberry Inn located just minutes from the park.
Contributed by Emilie of Love Life Abroad
Saguaro
Saguaro National Park is a stunning and distinct national park worth visiting in the spring. During this time, the park is alive with vibrant colors and fragrances as the wildflowers bloom in March and April. By the end of spring and into early summer (late May to June) the famous Saguaro cacti begin to bloom as well, a sight that shouldn’t be missed.
The lovely weather makes it perfect to be out all day, unlike the summers when hiking is not advised in the middle of the day due to the heat.
Plenty of engaging activities for kids in Saguaro National Park make it an excellent destination for families! Between ages 5 and 13, your children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program, completing activities and earning a badge. The park offers the Not So-Junior Ranger Program if the whole family wants to get involved.
Take a guided hike with the rangers, who offer insightful information about the desert ecosystem and the park’s flora and fauna. Or drive the park’s two scenic loops in search of the tallest saguaro you can find and to see what wildlife you can spot along the way.
Located just a couple minutes outside the West District, you will also find the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It is perfect for families as it offers opportunities to see the desert wildlife up close and also contains an aquarium, a botanical garden, and more.
And when you’re tuckered out by viewing all the gorgeous desert landscapes, Tucson is just a short drive away. The Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort is a great choice to stay for the night.
Contributed by Jenny of Traveling In Focus
LEARN MORE: Things to Do in Page, Arizona for Families
Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park is located in Utah near Moab. The proximity to Arches National Park plus Utah’s other “Mighty Five” make a trip to Canyonlands a must-see on an epic Utah Road Trip. And because this area of Utah regularly has temperatures climbing over 100°F in the summer, visiting during the spring is ideal.
Spring in Utah brings weather that is cooler and breezy, with averages around 60 to 75°. All of the trails in the park are open and ready for your kids to explore!
Canyonlands is divided into three sections, and the Island in the Sky area is the most popular. There are plenty of overlooks and out-and-back short hikes in this section if you are traveling with kids. The family-friendly hike to Mesa Arch is a favorite, especially at sunrise. This easy half a mile out and back trail leads to a huge natural arch with fantastic views!
Quick and easy overlooks into the vast canyons are located at Grand View Point, Buck Canyon, and the Green River Overlook. Canyonlands is a spectacular park and is ideal for visiting with kids in the spring! Go “glamping” nearby in the town of Moab at Under Canvas Moab, where families can enjoy nightly marshmallow roasts at the group fire pit and lush beds under oversized canvas tents.
Big Bend
If you want to plan a trip to Big Bend National Park with kids, spring is the perfect time of the year to do so.
Located in southern Texas, Big Bend National Park can be extremely hot for a lot of the year. However, the weather is generally much more agreeable during the spring months. This is especially important to keep in mind if you plan to do much hiking in Big Bend with kids.
There are some great bucket-list-worthy national park hikes in Big Bend that are great for kids. If you want a relatively short hike with a fun destination, consider hiking to Balanced Rock.
Or if you are looking for a slightly longer hike with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and scenery, you can’t miss the Lost Mine Trail. Keep an eye on your surroundings, and you may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a bear!
Big Bend is a huge national park, and it is located in a very remote area. If you can, consider staying in one of the park’s lodges such as the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Or stay nearby in the upscale Lajitas Golf Resort, with a championship golf course, zip-lining and paddleboarding opportunities, and a relaxing spa.
Contributed by Janae of Adventures With TuckNae
Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park is a great spot to visit this spring with kids! Nestled four hours south of Denver, Colorado, Great Sand Dunes offers hours of fun and adventures in the great outdoors. It’s a must-stop on any Colorado Road Trip!
Late spring is the best time to visit the park due to the melting snow, warmer temperatures, and the seasonal Medano creek. Plan your visit for late April or May and you’ll likely find sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s. However, be sure to dress in layers as it can be extra windy on the dunes!
Before entering the park, make a stop at one of the nearby rental shops to rent a sandboard or two. Kids will love climbing up the giant dunes and sliding all the way down. It’s definitely a workout and sure to tire them out!
After you and your family have enjoyed the dunes to the fullest, you can head to the nearby hike to Zapata Falls. It’s a quick 0.9-mile trail that is perfect for adventurous kids!
If hoping to stay right in the park, you can grab a room at the Great Sand Dunes Lodge, rent a rustic cabin from Oasis Camping Cabins, or pitch a tent at Pinyon Flats Campground. If these are booked, there’s a plethora of options available in Alamososa (38 miles southwest) or Monte Vista (43 miles west).
Contributed by Jordan of The Homebody Tourist
Dry Tortugas
If your kids love snorkeling, fishing, history, and boat rides, then visiting the Dry Tortugas in the spring should be at the top of your list! Springtime in Florida is magnificent; the heat and humidity have not started yet, hurricane season is over, and the water begins to warm up.
Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven small islands or “keys” 70 miles offshore of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The only way to get to this park is by taking the ferry to the Dry Tortugas or a chartered seaplane, and the remote location makes it one of the lesser visited parks. The ferry provides a light breakfast, boxed lunch, and food and snacks for purchase on the ride home.
The Dry Tortugas actually aren’t dry at all! Being islands they are surrounded by salt water, and underneath the surface lies some of the most pristine coral reefs in North America. Swimming in the clear turquoise water, playing on the beach in the white sand, or snorkeling and looking for tropical fish, coral, and sponges are just a few of the fun things to do with kids.
Garden Key is the main island, and it is where the ruins of Fort Jefferson await any history lovers. Built in the 1800’s, this still-standing fortress has tons of stairs, open windows, nooks and crannies to explore. The adventurous family can even camp primitively on the island, packing in and out everything needed for an intimate night on an isolated island in the middle of paradise!
The closest place to stay is in Key West. The Eden House is in a central location of the best restaurants and shops, and is the oldest hotel in Key West.
Grand Canyon
Spring is the ideal time to visit Grand Canyon National Park. Temperatures are cooler, wildflowers are blooming, and the crowds are well below peak.
The Grand Canyon is an easy addition to a road trip around southern Utah or Arizona. It’s four hours from Las Vegas or Phoenix, and just a couple hours from Zion National Park.
Small children will love the viewpoints where you can look 4,000 feet down to the Colorado River. Mather Point is the classic view and is incredible at sunrise and sunset, or head to Shoshone Point to escape the crowds.
Older kids will enjoy hiking into the canyon along the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trails. Ooh Aah Point, a mile down the South Kaibab Trail, makes a good turn-around point – it offers panoramic views, but with a reasonable climb back to the top. After your hike, sign up for one of the ranger-led stargazing programs to learn about the constellations and maybe even see the Milky Way!
The Grand Canyon has a number of family-friendly accommodation options. It’s best to stay inside the park – less driving time, less competing with crowds, and easy access to ranger talks and other park activities. Bright Angel Lodge is budget-friendly, while Maswick Lodge has a perfectly central location and some rooms with kitchenettes.
Alternatively, grab a site at Mather Campground, just a couple minutes’ drive from the action. If you have specific dates in mind, book at least 6 months in advance for all in-park accommodation.
Contributed by Carrie of Trains, Planes and Tuk Tuks
Badlands
Located in South Dakota in what seems like the middle of nowhere, entering Badlands National Park makes you feel like you are in a completely different world… Or maybe even a whole new planet! The Badlands wall is a rocky ridge rising up from the largest mixed-grass prairie in the U.S., complete with sharp spires, eroded buttes, and towering pinnacles. With all of the places to climb, hike, and explore, tons of wildlife to see and even fossils to touch, Badlands is an amazing national park to visit with kids in the spring.
The easiest way to see the park is by driving the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, a 39-mile long road that meanders through the park. Noted to be one of the top scenic byways in the U.S., this is a great road for families with kids of all ages. Along the route are several easy out-and-back overlooks, short hikes with tightly packed dirt (great for strollers), and boardwalks.
Watch for the huge bison herds grazing in the grasslands, prairie dogs digging in the prairies, and bighorn sheep balancing on top of the ridges. Or, take the Fossil Exhibit Trail, an easy boardwalk providing displays of fossils that have been uncovered in the park. And yes, kids can touch them! Or future geologists and paleontologists can learn about the parks history in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Visiting the Badlands in the spring is a great opportunity for a family vacation. In fact, plan an entire South Dakota road trip with the kids to really get out and explore this beautiful area! Spring brings cooler temperatures for sure, less crowds, and little rain. Also, the wildlife in the park are the most active in spring and fall.
Besides the campgrounds at Cedar Pass and Sage Creek, the Cedar Pass Lodge is the only accommodation located inside the park. This lodge also includes the only place to eat in the park, serving up kid-friendly meals like chicken nuggets, but also more unique items like bison meat tacos and veggie burgers!
Hawaii Volcanoes
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a huge volcanic area on Hawaii’s southeast coast. Featuring craters, petrified lava fields, steaming vents and sometimes even molten lava, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most impressive national parks in America. Spring is a great time to visit the park, as the end of peak season means there are fewer visitors and parking lots are less crowded.
Spanning 335,259 acres (roughly 523 square miles), there is plenty to see in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park when visiting with kids. The Crater Rim Drive bypasses all of the park’s most iconic sights with plenty of opportunity to get out at lookouts. Walking through Thurston Lava Tube is an awe-inspiring activity and fun for all the family.
Hikers will be pleased to know there are plenty of trails that can be followed on a guided or self-guided walk, while history buffs may wish to visit the Pu’uloa Petroglyphs. There are more than 23,000 of these ancient rock carvings which date back to between 1200-1450 AD within the park. The huge volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea cannot be missed and both are still active with eruptions possible at any time, so it’s important to check the safety information on the official website before you visit.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is easily accessible from Hilo, with the journey taking less than an hour, while the journey from Kona on the west coast takes around 2 hours. You can park and pay for entry at the visitor’s center, or take a day trip to see more of Big Island’s best attractions. Accommodation is available in the closest town, Volcano Village, with Volcano Village Lodge being a great place to stay for families.
Contributed by Lucy and Dan of Thoroughly Travel
Arches
You’ve probably heard of Arches National Park, or at least seen that iconic photo on the Utah license plate of Delicate Arch. But did you know it is a great national park for kids, and visiting in the spring is the ideal time?
Because of it’s location in southern Utah, Arches maintains a desert climate with hot and dry summers. Spring brings cooler breezes (pack layers because it can get windy and cool at night!) and less crowds into the park.
Arches is great for families because there are plenty of shorter hikes, family-friendly lookouts, pull-offs and overlooks, scenic drives, and wide open spaces for kids to get out and climb, hike, and run in a gorgeous natural setting!
The scenic drive in Arches is an 18-mile route through the park, hitting all the highlights. This drive is perfect for those traveling with little ones, where you can stop at the best overlooks and see the vast landscapes of the park. Or plan a hike to Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in North America. This trail is considered easy at 1.6 miles round-trip and is relatively flat.
Bring your cooler in the car an enjoy a family picnic near Balanced Rock at one of the provided picnic tables. And after a day of exploring the park, chill out at the nearby Arches Gateway RV Resort and Campground. Located just minutes from the entrance to Arches, the campground offers tent, RV, and cabin sites, and has a huge pool and hot tub- perfect for a much-needed relaxing soak.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is a scenic and easy-to-visit national park located in the Southern Californian desert. It is famous for its huge rock formations and fields filled with the namesake Joshua trees.
Joshua Tree is wonderful to visit in the spring because daytime temperatures are pleasant and comfortable for hiking, especially if you start early in the day. Nights are less cold than in the winter if you enjoy night sky observation. Spring is also the time when you are likely to see lots of wildflowers in the park, as well as cactus and succulent bloom.
Hiking and rock scrambling are among the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park for kids and adults alike. There are several family-friendly trails you can walk, short enough for even a one-day visit to the park. Try the Hidden Valley Trail and the Barker Dam Trail, both located close to each other. The two trails offer rock formations for scrambling as well.
The drive through the park takes you past several rock formations perfect for rock scrambling. Your kids will love posing for photos at Skull Rock!
Drive up to Keys View for sunset, and after dark park at a convenient spot along Pinto Basin Road and enjoy viewing the millions of stars in the night sky. Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Twentynine Palms is a great place to stay close to the park.
Contributed by Dhara of Roadtripping California
LEARN MORE: See the Top Sights on a California Coast Drive
Death Valley
Who wouldn’t want to plan a spring trip to see the largest national park in the continental United States? Covering over 3.4 million acres in Nevada and California, the peaks, cliffs, sand dunes, and salt flats in Death Valley National Park create the perfect setting for a family trip. Death Valley is known for being the “hottest place on earth”, but visiting in the spring means cooler days, less chance of thunderstorms, and fewer crowds!
The hiking trails to two must-see spots in the park, Dantes View and Zabriskie Point, are short and easy even for those traveling with strollers. Or visit the Devils Golf Course, where –if you go at the right time and you really listen- you can hear the popping of literally billions of tiny crystals bursting apart as they expand and contract in the heat. It sounds like putting your ear up to a bowl of crackling rice krispies!
Don’t miss standing in the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin. At 282 feet below sea level, these salt flats used to make up the bottom of the ocean floor and are a super cool sight to see. This is one of the most popular areas of the park so be sure to arrive early!
Any families with kids who are fans of Star Wars definitely need to visit the sand dunes in Death Valley, where the scenes on Tatooine were filmed for several of the movies. And running up and down the dunes really makes you feel like you are on another planet! This is a great spot to get the kids out of the car while driving through Death Valley to stretch their legs and explore. After, head to your hotel just outside the park at the Panamint Springs Resort, a no-frills motel offering lodge-style rooms, canvas tents, small comfortable cabins, and a full bar and restaurant.
Great Basin
Welcome to Great Basin National Park, located in the far reaches of Nevada – a land of high alpine mountains, deep desert basins, and stark white limestone Lehman Caves! In this article we will explore one of the least visited and most remote national parks in the United States and let you know what to see when traveling with kids.
Great Basin National Park is located about 5 miles south of Baker, Nevada on Highway 487 and is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. One of the park’s major attractions is the Lehman Caves, limestone caves formed at least 400 million years ago. You’ll have to sign up for a guided tour to see these underground wonders which are filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Tickets for visitors 16 and over cost $8, visitors 5-15 cost $4, those 5 and younger get in free.
On the tour, guides will provide interesting tidbits of history, geology, and spooky stories. There’s also a short hike around the visitor center to see the original entrance to the Lehman Caves, making it worth the trip. Be sure to layer up and bring a jacket – even in spring, the temperature inside the caves stays chilled at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit!
The kids will also love the wildlife. Great Basin National Park is also home to wild horses – mustangs that were brought in by Spanish Conquistadors in the late 1500s. Although the exact number of horses in the park is unknown, their presence is a reminder of the long and storied history of this land.
Hidden Canyon Retreat is a nice rustic getaway on 375-acre grounds with forests, rocks and streams and is located only 20 miles from the park. Other amenities include a game room with a TV and table tennis, as well as a patio and BBQ facilities. ATV rentals are available for a fee.
Contributed by Shannon of Three Days in Vegas
White Sands
You don’t have to choose between a beach or ski vacation for spring break when you head to White Sands National Park. This small national park located in southcentral New Mexico and features nearly 300 square miles of unique gypsum sand dunes.
Although it’s a relatively small national park that just graduated from its longtime national monument designation in 2019, White Sands is well worth at least a half day visit with the family. There might just be sand at White Sands, but it’s cool to the touch, surprisingly comfortable underfoot, and very photogenic!
The most noteworthy activity for kids of all ages is sledding at White Sands. Either pick up a saucer in the visitor center or pack a sled of your own. Be sure to wax your sled to get maximum glide down the sandy slopes.
Other popular activities for kids at White Sands include hiking and enjoying a (beachless) beach day of building sand castles and lounging under beach umbrellas. Don’t forget to grab some epic family photos on top of the shimmering sand dunes.
Unless you’re up for some backcountry camping, there are no accommodations in the actual national park. However, nearby Alamogordo has you covered with plentiful dining and lodging options, including familiar chain restaurants like Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and Fairfield Inn.
Contributed by Ada of Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
We hope this has inspired you to make plans to visit one of these amazing national parks this spring. You and your kids may just fall in love with the outdoors all over again!
Happy travels!
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