7 of the best U.S. state parks to visit in spring
These state parks, scattered throughout the south and southwest, come to life in spring, making them the perfect places to get outdoors and spend time in nature.
Nothing feels better than spending time outdoors after months of snow, grey skies, and frigid weather. Spring is a special season, no matter where you are, but in some areas of the country, the landscape blossoms to life with particular brilliance.
Green overtakes the once barren trees, colorful wildflowers pop up in hills and valleys, and waterfalls rage from snowmelt. The north often takes longer to reach its peak season, but many state parks in the south and southwest are in their prime season from February to May.
If you want a natural escape this spring, consider visiting one of these seven stunning state parks while they are ripe with beauty.
(Fifty of our favorite U.S. state parks.)
1. Picacho Peak State Park, Arizona
Picacho Peak is one of Arizona’s iconic landmarks. Positioned halfway between Phoenix and Tucson along Highway 10, its impressive peak is easy to spot as you’re driving. Especially during the spring bloom when the hillside is covered in vibrant yellow California poppies and purple lupins.
Spring in Arizona arrives earlier than in other parts of the country. Visitors can expect spring-like weather between February and March, making it the perfect time to go hiking. Summiting Picacho’s 1,500-foot peak via the Hunter Trail or Sunset Vista Trail during Arizona’s intense heat from April through summer is inadvisable.
“The peak can be intimidating to novice hikers. It uses a series of cables, and you want to come well prepared with gloves, sun protection, water, and snacks,” explains Elisabeth Haugan, communications manager for Arizona State Parks and Trails.
“For a more leisure hike, the nature trail is a half-mile loop with interpretive signs to learn about the native animals and plants you’ll see,” she says.
(Nevada’s state parks shine even brighter than the Strip.)
2. Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of Southern California’s hidden gems. It’s the largest state park in California in the western Colorado Desert, just east of San Diego and south of Palm Springs.
“It’s approximately 650,000 acres, just about the size of Delaware,” says Dan McCamish, the senior environmental scientist for California State Parks. Its sprawling boundaries mean there is something for everyone, including backcountry exploring, horseback riding, camping, stargazing, hiking, and natural hot springs.
“The weather in the Anza Borrego region is pretty heavenly October through March, but our winter annual flowers begin to pop up mid-February into March,” says McCamish. People flock from all over to admire the spring blooms.
3. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve, California
Another California state park that blooms to life in spring is the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Located about two hours north of Los Angeles, it’s the perfect place for a day trip to see miles and miles of stunning poppy flowers.
The State Natural Reserve is California’s most persistent poppy-bearing land, which means each spring, you are virtually guaranteed to have a colorful show. The poppies are usually most vibrant between late March and late April, but it’s best to check the live poppy cam provided by the state park to ensure it’s ideal viewing before driving out there.
(Eight underrated state parks that deliver the awe without the crowds.)
4. Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Big Bend Ranch State Park is roughly three and a half hours west of Big Bend National Park, along the border of Mexico and the United States. “The weather attracts a lot of people in the spring, but the wildflowers also bring people here to see the desert come to life with color,” says Aaron Garza, the public relations representative for Visit Big Bend.
“Late February is when the wildflowers bloom, but it can last through April or even May, depending on how much rain we received that year,” adds Garza. Big Bend Ranch State Park is massive, “all other Texas state parks could fit within its boundaries,” explains Garza.
Mountain biking, birding, hiking, and paddling on the Rio Grande are some of the top activities to do here. But if you visit in spring, keep an eye out for bluebonnets, gorgeous red flowers on the wiry ocotillo cactus, and hummingbirds buzzing around the tall stocks shooting up from the century agave plants.
5. Cummins Falls State Park, Tennessee
Located about a two-hour drive from Nashville, Cummins Falls State Park is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, and the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. But what makes spring the favorable time to visit is the intensity of the waterfall from winter snowmelt.
Water rushes over the cliff’s edge at a ferocity you won’t see later on in the year. If you visit in May, it’s often warm enough to want to go for a dip. Not to mention having fewer crowds in spring gives you a better chance of securing a Gorge Access permit, which is required to access the base of the falls. The park issues 200 permits a day, which can be purchased in advance and require a one- to 1.5-mile out-and-back hike into the gorge.
6. Grandfather Mountain State Park, North Carolina
Spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains is spectacular. The weather is mild and picturesque for hiking, and there are over 100 wildflower species. One of the best state parks to enjoy the magic of spring here is Grandfather Mountain State Park, which spans three counties in North Carolina.
Wildflowers pop up in mid-April as the area sees more rain. Blooms typically last until late May, just before the area warms up, says Amelia Gallina, a park ranger at Grandfather Mountain State Park. "One of my favorite hikes is the Nuwati Trail. It’s a pretty mild trail, 1.2 miles out and 2 miles back. There are no ladders or cables like with other trails in Grandfather Mountain, so it’s one most people can do,” she explains.
7. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas
Just outside of Austin in the heart of Texas Hill Country is Enchanted Rock State Park. Loved by locals, this state park is a fantastic spot for hiking, admiring wildflowers, and basking in a dark sky before the brutal summer heat arrives.
Rock climbing and hiking are the most popular activities here. The 0.8-mile Summit Trail up the peculiar-looking exfoliation dome is one of the best to do, but in spring, take the longer 4.6-mile Loop Trail to see bluebonnets, bright red Indian paintbrush, and the gorgeous purple basin bellflower.
(Nine spectacular state parks to visit this winter.)
