As Easter Sunday approaches on April 20, travelers looking for a scenic escape may find the perfect opportunity in America's national parks.
Easter coincides with National Park Week, which runs from April 19 to 27 this year. To mark the start of the week, all national parks will offer free entry on April 19, giving visitors free access to more than 400 parks nationwide, many of which are hosting special seasonal events.
The timing aligns with peak spring conditions across much of the country, from wildflower blooms and moderate hiking weather to clearer skies ideal for stargazing and sunrises.
In an April 2025 report by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), 32 percent of child-free campers said visiting state or national parks was their most anticipated campground activity, making Easter an ideal window for adventure-seekers.
Here, experts reveal the best U.S. national parks to visit around the Easter break.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
James Ian, founder of the Parks Collecting website, which offers guides and itineraries for U.S. national parks, has visited nearly every national park in the country.
Ian told Newsweek: "One of the best national parks to visit for Easter is Saguaro National Park in Arizona," which is especially vibrant this time of year. "The cactus flower season is from April to May.
Although the saguaro cactus blooms usually peak toward the end of May, there are plenty of other flowering cacti in the park in bloom in late April. Temperatures are warm but not yet scorching—perfect for hiking."
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee–North Carolina
For those preferring the lush landscape of the Appalachian Mountains, Ian recommends Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling the Tennessee–North Carolina border.
Ian said: "The park is famous for its spring wildflower bloom, with over 1,500 species, peaking around Easter time. The snowmelt also means the over 100 waterfalls in the parks are especially spectacular at Easter time."
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Visitors willing to travel farther afield may want to consider Hawaii's Haleakalā National Park. "Skies are typically clear this time of year, making the sunrise views especially stunning, and conditions are perfect for stargazing and hiking,"
Ian noted. "What better way to spend Easter morning than soaking in the sunrise from the Haleakalā summit? It's also less crowded than the busy summer months."
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Maddi Bourgerie, a travel expert at RVshare, recommended Texas' Big Bend National Park for its springtime appeal. Bourgerie told Newsweek: "It offers ideal spring weather in April, with average highs around 86 degrees Fahrenheit and lows around 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
The park is renowned for its wildflower blooms, including bluebonnets, ocotillo, and desert marigolds, which typically peak in March and April. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes like the Windows Trail or Upper Burro Mesa Trail while surrounded by colorful desert landscapes."
She added that Big Bend is also "a hotspot for birdwatching and stargazing, thanks to its International Dark Sky Reserve status."
Death Valley National Park, California
"Easter weekend would be a great time to visit Death Valley National Park due to its stunning wildflower displays and pleasant spring weather," Bourgerie said.
"From mid-February to mid-April, wildflowers such as desert gold, sand verbena, and purple phacelia bloom across the valley floor and alluvial fans, creating vibrant contrasts against the desert's rocky terrain."
April temperatures are "warm but manageable," she added, "with highs averaging around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the 60s, making it ideal for exploring iconic sites like Zabriskie Point and Artists Palette."
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
For those looking to skip the crowds, Bourgerie suggested New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. "Spring in New River Gorge offers a breathtaking display of wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and perfect weather for outdoor adventures," she said.
"April is the peak season for ephemeral blooms like trilliums, Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, and trout lilies. The park's mild temperatures—55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit—make it ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the lush Appalachian landscape."
The park also offers a chance to explore one of the country's newest national parks, as Bourgerie noted: "Visitors to New River Gorge can enjoy the opportunity to explore one of the newest national parks in the U.S. system—one that's only been designated as such since December 2020. The park is also only about an hour outside of Charleston."
Channel Islands National Park, California
For a tranquil island experience, Kathryn Frazer, owner of the Adventures of A+K travel site, points to Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Ventura, California. Frazer told Newsweek.
"Located off the shore of Ventura, California, this park includes five of the eight Channel Islands, giving you quite a few choices in terms of where to explore." Frazer highlighted Santa Cruz Island as a standout, noting: "You can camp at Scorpion Cove, go on a kayaking tour, watch the sunrise from Potato Harbor, and even see the island's famous and adorable foxes.
During a spring visit you'll have greener terrain, mild temperatures, and the chance to catch the last glimpses of the island's wildflowers."
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