12 Best Spring Camping Destinations in the U.S.

10 min read
Best Spring Camping Locations

Spring offers the perfect window for family camping adventures. The crowds haven't yet arrived for summer, temperatures are comfortable, and nature puts on a spectacular show of wildflowers and wildlife. We've compiled the 12 best spring camping destinations across the United States, highlighting their unique features and optimal visiting times.

Why Camp in Spring?

Spring camping offers several advantages over other seasons:

  • Fewer crowds than summer at popular destinations
  • Comfortable daytime temperatures in many regions
  • Spectacular wildflower displays
  • Flowing waterfalls and rivers from snowmelt
  • Active wildlife emerging from winter
  • Lower rates for campgrounds (often pre-peak season prices)

Top Spring Camping Destinations by Region

West Coast

1. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Best Spring Months: March-May

The Mojave Desert's harsh summer heat makes spring the ideal time to visit Joshua Tree. The park transforms with desert wildflowers, and the comfortable temperatures (70-85°F days, 50-60°F nights) create perfect conditions for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Junior Ranger program with special spring activities
  • Easy nature trails including the 1-mile Hi-View Trail
  • Spectacular stargazing opportunities in designated Dark Sky areas
  • Unique boulder formations perfect for scrambling (with supervision)
Where to Camp:

Jumbo Rocks Campground offers spacious sites with natural rock formations that kids love to explore. Make reservations through recreation.gov.

2. Olympic National Park, Washington

Best Spring Months: April-June

Olympic National Park's diversity shines in spring. The rainforest valleys burst with vibrant greens, waterfalls reach peak flow, and coastal tidepools teem with marine life. Higher elevations may still have snow, creating a multi-ecosystem adventure in one park.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Hoh Rain Forest with moss-draped trees and nurse logs
  • Ruby Beach's fascinating tidepools (check tide schedules)
  • Sol Duc Falls trail (1.6 miles round trip)
  • Wildlife viewing including Roosevelt elk and migrating birds
Where to Camp:

Kalaloch Campground offers ocean views and easy beach access. The Graves Creek Campground is a quieter option near the Quinault Rainforest.

3. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Best Spring Months: April-June

The Columbia River Gorge shines in spring when its famous waterfalls reach maximum flow and the hillsides explode with wildflowers. Over 90 waterfalls and countless hiking trails make this area perfect for families who enjoy moderately active adventures.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Multnomah Falls (accessible viewing platform)
  • Springtime wildflower displays at Tom McCall Preserve
  • Wind surfing lessons for older kids/teens at Hood River
  • Bonneville Dam fish ladders where kids can watch salmon migration
Where to Camp:

Viento State Park offers riverside camping with easy access to gorge attractions. Eagle Creek Campground is another excellent option with waterfall hikes directly from camp.

Southwest

4. Zion National Park, Utah

Best Spring Months: March-May

Zion's towering red cliffs and slot canyons are at their most pleasant in spring, before summer's intense heat and crowds arrive. Spring also brings flowing waterfalls, wildflowers, and active wildlife against the backdrop of dramatic rock formations.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Emerald Pools Trails (Lower, Middle, Upper - choose based on ability)
  • Riverside Walk along the Virgin River (2 miles round trip, paved)
  • Weeping Rock (0.4 miles round trip)
  • Junior Ranger program at the visitor center
Where to Camp:

Watchman Campground is conveniently located near the park entrance with access to the shuttle system. South Campground also offers family-friendly sites.

5. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Best Spring Months: March-April

Big Bend transforms in spring, with desert blooms creating splashes of color across the landscape. The Rio Grande offers refreshing water activities, and temperatures remain comfortable before summer's extreme heat. Bluebonnets and other wildflowers peak in March-April.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Hot Springs Historic District and natural hot spring
  • Windows Trail to see iconic rock formations (2.2 miles)
  • Santa Elena Canyon with dramatic 1,500-foot cliffs
  • Junior Ranger Night Explorer program for stargazing
Where to Camp:

Rio Grande Village Campground offers shade trees and a convenient store. The Chisos Basin Campground sits at a higher elevation with cooler temperatures.

Midwest

6. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Best Spring Months: April-May

Hocking Hills shines in spring when its waterfalls flow at full capacity and redbud and dogwood trees bloom throughout the forests. The dramatic sandstone formations, caves, and gorges provide endless exploration opportunities for families.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Old Man's Cave - accessible hiking through a dramatic gorge
  • Ash Cave - wheelchair-accessible path to Ohio's largest recess cave
  • Rock House - natural rock shelter with interesting history
  • Nature programs specifically designed for children
Where to Camp:

Hocking Hills State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a pool (opens in late spring) and naturalist programs.

7. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Best Spring Months: May-June

Lake Michigan's shoreline comes alive in late spring, with fewer crowds than the summer high season. The massive sand dunes, clear inland lakes, and forests offer diverse activities, while spring bird migrations add to the natural spectacle.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Dune Climb - an enormous sandbox for kids of all ages
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for panoramic Lake Michigan views
  • Maritime Museum with interactive exhibits
  • Glen Haven historic village with blacksmith demonstrations
Where to Camp:

Platte River Campground offers access to both river and Lake Michigan. D.H. Day Campground is more rustic but offers a classic camping experience with Lake Michigan across the road.

Southeast

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Best Spring Months: April-May

America's most visited national park is at its best in spring, with over 1,500 types of flowering plants blooming in waves across the park. Waterfalls reach peak flow, and wildlife becomes active after winter, all while temperatures remain pleasantly mild.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Cades Cove Loop - 11-mile scenic drive with historic buildings and wildlife viewing
  • Laurel Falls - paved 2.6-mile roundtrip hike to cascading waterfall
  • Sugarlands Visitor Center with interactive exhibits
  • Junior Ranger program with spring-specific activities
Where to Camp:

Elkmont Campground offers riverside sites and historical firefly viewing in late spring. Cades Cove Campground provides easy access to the popular valley loop.

9. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Best Spring Months: March-May

This unique old-growth floodplain forest is most accessible in spring when water levels are optimal for exploration. The champion trees (among the tallest in the Eastern U.S.) create a cathedral-like canopy, and spring brings a synchronous firefly display that rivals any natural light show.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Boardwalk Loop Trail - 2.4 miles of elevated path through the swamp forest
  • Canoe and kayak trails on Cedar Creek (rentals nearby)
  • Guided ranger walks focused on children's interests
  • Synchronous firefly displays (late May, check park schedule)
Where to Camp:

Congaree National Park's Longleaf Campground offers front-country camping with basic amenities. For a more developed option with showers, try Poinsett State Park nearby.

Northeast

10. Acadia National Park, Maine

Best Spring Months: May-June

While Acadia's peak season is summer through fall, late spring offers a magical time with fewer crowds and burgeoning wildlife. The coastal mountains, tidepools, and forest trails provide diverse ecosystems for exploration before the summer tourist influx.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Ocean Path - easy 4-mile trail with spectacular coastline views
  • Carriage Roads - car-free gravel paths ideal for family biking
  • Jordan Pond - scenic flat trail around a crystal-clear lake
  • Tidepooling at low tide (check tide schedules)
Where to Camp:

Blackwoods Campground is open year-round and located close to Bar Harbor and major park attractions. Seawall Campground (opens in late spring) offers a quieter experience on the "quiet side" of the island.

11. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Best Spring Months: April-June

Shenandoah's famous Skyline Drive becomes a corridor of color in spring, with redbuds and dogwoods blooming at lower elevations and creating a progressively opening display as temperatures warm. Spring also offers the best waterfall viewing and wildlife activity.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Dark Hollow Falls - 1.4-mile roundtrip to a 70-foot waterfall
  • Stony Man Trail - easy 1.6-mile loop to a spectacular viewpoint
  • Skyline Drive with numerous overlooks accessible by car
  • TRACK Trails program designed specifically for kids
Where to Camp:

Mathews Arm Campground (northern section) and Big Meadows Campground (central section) both offer family-friendly amenities and access to popular trails.

12. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland/Virginia

Best Spring Months: April-June

This barrier island is famous for its wild horses, and spring offers comfortable temperatures with fewer insects than summer. The combination of beach, bay, and maritime forest provides varied ecosystems to explore, and spring bird migrations add to the natural spectacle.

Family-Friendly Features:
  • Wild horse viewing (maintain safe distance)
  • Beach combing and shell collecting
  • Canoeing and kayaking in protected bay waters
  • Junior Ranger program with horse-focused activities
Where to Camp:

Oceanside and Bayside Campgrounds in the Maryland section offer family camping with varying levels of facilities. Reservations are essential, especially for weekends.

Spring Camping Tips

  1. Pack for variable weather – Spring temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Bring layers and be prepared for both warm days and chilly nights.
  2. Make reservations – While less crowded than summer, popular spring destinations still fill up, especially during spring break periods and holidays.
  3. Check road and trail conditions – Some high-elevation areas may still have snow or closed roads in early spring.
  4. Be aware of wildlife – Spring is when many animals become more active, including bears emerging from hibernation. Follow proper food storage guidelines.
  5. Consider allergies – If family members have pollen allergies, bring appropriate medications for spring blooms.

Conclusion

Spring camping offers families a magical combination of comfortable weather, natural wonders, and fewer crowds. These 12 destinations represent some of America's finest spring camping experiences, each offering unique attractions perfect for family adventures.

Have you visited any of these spring camping destinations? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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