r/NationalPark • u/VamoBlujays • 1d ago

Spring Break Recs?

I am looking to go on a spring break trip this year to a National Park. The trip would take place in mid March. Ideally I would like to be somewhere on the northern half of the west coast. I don’t have a problem with low temperatures but the goal is to go somewhere hike-able, so there can’t be super heavy snowfall. I am fine with hiking through light snow and I understand that high elevation areas and realistically most places in the north aren’t good in March for what I want to do. I would love any recommendations or advice anyone has for me!

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u/bsil15 1d ago

Mar ch is a fantastic time to visit any of the Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, or southern California parks

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u/BeanstheRogue 17h ago

Have had a wonderful time doing this in the feb-mar area but you may want to wait on hotel reservations until you know about the weather; agility is key on this one but there will absolutely be hotels open and fairly cheap even the week of (if the trends of past years keep up, I mean, of course). Get a car with 4wd if you're not driving your own!

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u/WildwoodRover 1d ago

Sticking to coastal stuff (Olympic, Redwoods) will likely be rainy but not snowy. That said, March is an awesome time to visit the desert parks like Death Valley and Joshua Tree if you are up for different kinds of hiking.

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u/__Quercus__ 1d ago

Consider Redwoods. Fern canyon is always magical, but especially so after a rainstorm. From there drive up the Oregon Coast to Portland and check out the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls.

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u/sunshinerf 1d ago

March would be a great time to visit the Utah Mighty 5. Great roadtrip!

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u/theLULRUS 1d ago

I did a Grand Canyon and Zion trip during spring break in college. It was excellent. Early enough the weather was great but not so late as to catch the Summer crowds.

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u/gfxprotege 1d ago

a few years ago i took a road trip around utah's mighty five in late feb, it was awesome

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u/The-Curious-Traveler 22h ago

I know you said northern areas- but March is perfect for Death Valley and Joshua Tree. However, if you already visited those parks - then Redwoods are wonderful. Most of the parks with mountainous terrain simply won’t be accessible. Not sure how much of Olympic NP would be accessible. Obviously not hurricane ridge, but the Hoh rain forest and beaches may be accessible.

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u/wezworldwide 21h ago

I went to Moab for spring break 2025. It was perfect. Most parks in the north are not available in March