NPS Commemorations and Celebrations

Spring Season

Illustration of bison made of flowers

Image designed by the National Park Service

Spring is a time of rebirth often bringing warmer temperatures, new life, and dramatic splashes of every imaginable color in nature. With the end of the cold winter season, many of us venture out to play in the great outdoors. Cultures and communities across the country partake in springtime traditions, some passed through generations and shared with each other in national parks.

Experience the spring season in national parks or in your own community with opportunities through our programs and partners. Or stay connected with parks virtually, including joining the conversation with us on social media.

Seasonal Celebrations & Happenings

Statue of Harriet Tubman
Women's History Month

Commemorate the contributions, successes, and journeys of women during the national celebration in March.

The Washington Monument framed by cherry blossoms
Cherry Blossom Festival

Take part in the grand springtime tradition in the nation's capital from anywhere through virtual experiences.

Pile of Junior Ranger badges
National Junior Ranger Day

Kids ages 1-99 are invited to earn Junior Ranger badges while learning about our national parks. How can you sPark curiosity?

Ranger holding her hands above her head standing in front of the Roosevelt Arch
National Park Week

Celebrate national parks for nine days straight!

Park Week 2021 Earth Day logo with Earth wearing a ranger hat
Earth Day

Earth Day is an international celebration of stewardship of the planet's natural resources, also happening during National Park Week!

Asian American dancer at a festival
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Celebrate history, heritage, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders past and present during May's national celebration.

Spring Trip Ideas & Things to Do

Need inspiration for specific trip ideas and things to do? Parks have suggestions for self-guided activities to enjoy the spring season.

Showing results 1-10 of 28

  • New Philadelphia National Historic Site

    Find Flowers and Butterflies in Lucy's Garden

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Wildlife Watching
    • Locations: New Philadelphia National Historic Site
    • Duration: 5-20 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Information Kiosk
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    A small, orange and black speckled butterfly stands on a purple flower with bright yellow center.

    New Philadelphia buzzes to life in Lucy’s Butterfly Garden! The wildflowers in this garden represent the types of plants that greeted the McWorters when they arrived. Today, bright flowers greet many native butterflies, moths, and bees.

  • Point Reyes National Seashore

    Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Ocean

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 60-90 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead, Point Reyes National Seashore
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    A family of four next to a small footbridge that leads to a sand dune-bordered coastal lagoon.

    Take an easy hike that will lead you past a unique coastal lagoon bordered by sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean. This hike offers great opportunities for viewing birds and wildflowers. Allow 20 to 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead.

  • Zion National Park

    Weeping Rock

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 15-45 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Weeping Rock Trailhead
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
    A large, arch shaped alcove streaked with dark shades of orange on red rock.

    Short but steep! From the parking area, you'll cross the bridge and head to the left onto a paved trail to Weeping Rock. Along the way, look for small trailside exhibits and watch for minor drop-offs. The trail ends at a set of steps leading you to a rock alcove with dripping springs.

  • Death Valley National Park

    Explore Wildflowers in Death Valley

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Scenic Driving
    • Duration: 1-3 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Season: Spring
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn
    Notch-leaved Phacelia and Golden Evening Primrose bloom in a desert wash.

    Learn about the different flowers you might be able to see in Death Valley during spring months.

  • Point Reyes National Seashore

    Hike the McClures Beach Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 20-60 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: McClures Beach Trailhead, Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two hikers follow a trail between bushes with yellow flowers in a coastal valley.

    A rugged trail descends moderately steeply down a ravine to the ocean. McClures Beach is contained within a beautiful cove backed by rocky cliffs, but watch out for tidal fluctuations and dangerous surf. Allow 35 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the McClures Beach Trailhead, located at the end of the Pierce Point Road, below Pierce Point Ranch to the west.

  • Point Reyes National Seashore

    Hike the Chimney Rock Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 40-90 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Chimney Rock Trailhead, Point Reyes Headlands
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Three hikers on a dirt, single track trail through lush green grass.

    Enjoy spectacular views of Drakes Bay, the Pacific, and, in spring, wildflowers along this open coastal walk. From January through May, look for migratory whales from the point. Allow 45 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Chimney Rock Trailhead.

  • Point Reyes National Seashore

    Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Footbridge

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 40-75 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead, Point Reyes National Seashore
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    A family of four next to a small footbridge that leads to a sand dune-bordered coastal lagoon.

    Take an easy hike that will lead you to a unique coastal lagoon bordered by sand dunes that offers great opportunities for viewing birds and wildflowers. Allow 20 to 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead.

  • Mount Rainier National Park

    Explore Tipsoo Lake

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 0-4 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 0 and Older
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Tipsoo Lake
    • Season: Summer
    • Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
    Mount Rainier is in the background with Tipsoo Lake and some flowers in front.

    Interested in exploring Tipsoo Lake but don't know what to do? This list should help you find the right activity.

  • Mount Rainier National Park

    Hike Nisqually Vista Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 45-60 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 0 and Older
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Nisqually Vista Trail
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
    Glacial valley below towering Mount Rainier. A thin river begins at the end of a rocky glacier.

    The easy Nisqually Vista trail offers stunning year-round views of Mount Rainier, the Nisqually Glacier, and the Tatoosh mountain range as well as seasonal delights, such as summer wildflowers and fall foliage.

  • Point Reyes National Seashore

    Hike the Estero–Glenbrook–Muddy Hollow Road Loop

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Duration: 3-4 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Muddy Hollow Trailhead, Point Reyes National Seashore
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Grass and scrubland in the foreground, wetlands in the mid-distance, and rugged coastline beyond.

    This loop hike passes through young woodlands, coastal scrub, and grassland within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. It offers views of Estero de Limantour and the possibility of seeing tule elk and other wildlife that call this area home. It is also a great hike for spring wildflowers. Allow 15 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead.

Tags: spring spring season spring break wildflowers spring flowers spring wildflowers springtime spring equinox
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Calendar of Events

Find a park near you or explore in-park and virtual events hosted by parks across the country. Set the calendar to spring months to see what events are being hosted in national parks or online to join in the festivities.

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Want to volunteer? Volunteer events will soon display directly on the NPS Event Calendar. Until then, visit Volunteer.gov to find ways to volunteer!

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Last updated: April 1, 2025

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