Gearing up for Spring Adventures: A Seasonal Guide to the Best Hiking Trails in National Parks

By: Eden Morrison

Looking for some outdoor adventure this spring? Take in the glory of one of the United States’ many National Parks. We’ve curated a list of the best parks to explore this spring, along with our top hiking and camping recommendations—perfect for enjoying the great outdoors with clean, purified water on hand.

Joshua Tree, California

Spring is an excellent time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. This time of year the desert is still temperate enough to allow for an enjoyable visit without the tiring heat. Wildflowers are in bloom, along with the incredible Joshua Trees themselves making this a great visit for any plant enthusiasts. 

Hike Highlight: The Ryan Mountain loop is a challenge, but the spring weather makes for the perfect time to undertake it. A 2.9 mile loop with just over 1,000 feet of elevation, Ryan Mountain is home to breathtaking rock formations.

Camping Recommendation: If you’re planning to give Ryan Mountain a go, the Ryan campground is a great place to stay. This campsite is much smaller than the more commonly visited Jumbo Rocks site, making it an intimate and peaceful place to stay. Along with its proximity to Ryan Mountain, it’s also a close walk to Cap Rock which is home to multiple nature walks. Amenities at this site include pit toilets, fire grates, and tables. No water is available at this site, so make sure you stock up!

Gear Suggestion: The Vivovlu Freedom Bundle is a great product to have on hand in the desert because of its high volume capacity. The backpack holds up to 10 liters of filtered water with a filtration system that can be assembled in under a minute. It’s easy to store while not in use and comfortable to wear when on the go.

Big Bend, Texas

Has the winter chill gotten to you? Let the incredible hot springs of Big Bend National Park welcome you into warmer weather. This park is home to an ancient geothermal hot spring that sits at a perfect 105 degrees. Being an in-between of the two extremes of Texas winter and summer, spring is often the ideal weather for hiking. Big Bend is also a common pit stop for many migratory birds this time of year, so make sure to bring your binoculars. 

Hike Highlight: Hot Springs Historic Trail. This 1 mile hike is the perfect middle ground for those looking to balance activity and relaxation. The trail is easygoing, while still home to the incredible sights of the park.

Camping Recommendation: Immerse yourself in the expansive mountain range of Big Bend at Chisos Basin Campground. The grounds sit at an altitude of 5,400 ft. giving you a 360° view of the park and all other surrounding mountains. It’s important to book your reservation ahead of time as the site often books up.

Gear Suggestion: If you’re looking for an easygoing trip to the park, you need an easygoing water treatment with you. Aquatabs are the simplest way to ensure that your drinking water is clean. With only one tablet you can treat up to 64 ounces of water, all within the span of just 30 minutes.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Amassing some of the largest crowds of any national park in the summertime, spring makes a great time to miss the chaos at the Olympic National Park. Washington’s notoriously rainy winters cause some spectacular spring sights. Wildlife is especially active, vegetation is in bloom, and waterfalls are cascading full force. 

Hike Highlight: Rialto Beach to the Hole-in-the-Wall. One might not instantly think of beaches when talking about Washington state, but Rialto Beach encompasses the incredible beauty of the state’s coastline. This 3.3 mile walk trails the coast up to a picturesque rock formation known as the aptly named Hole-in-the-Wall.

Camping Recommendation: The Kalaloch Campground is a great, reliable option for springtime camping. It’s one of the few sites within the park that are open this time of year, and accepts reservations. It offers nearly 200 individual sites, including four which are wheelchair accessible.

Gear Suggestion: Unlike many other campgrounds, Kalaloch offers portable water! While this is a great bonus of the site, some may still be concerned about the safety of the water. If you are one of those people, you may consider stocking up on the Aquagenx Alert Water Test to know for certain the water you’re drinking is clean. This kit tests for E. coli and Total Coliforms so that you can be sure your water won’t make you sick.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Nicknamed the “Wildflower National Park, ” there’s no better way to welcome in spring than by visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Home to over 1,500 types of flowers, the park is a must see this time of year. The park is also made up of almost 800 miles of trails, providing a diverse experience for not just plant lovers, but hikers too! 

Hike Highlight: Oconaluftee River Trail. As the name suggests, this three mile loop follows the riverside and through the hardwood forest. This trail is a great place to see the wildflowers in bloom, as well as spotting wildlife such as elk.  The trail itself is largely flat and wide, making it one of the more accessible routes for those with physical limitations.  

Camping Recommendation: Any animal lover will love a stay at Cades Cove. This site is a common place to spot wildlife such as deer, turkey, groundhogs, and even black bears.

Gear Suggestion: With all the distance you could cover within the Great Smoky Mountains, carrying water with you at all times isn’t ideal. The Puribag Adventure Bladder is a great tool to keep on hand. All you need is a freshwater source and you’re good to drink!

Channel Islands, California

Channel Islands is one of the least visited national parks by people, and yet is frequented by stunning wildlife. Many migrant birds make a stop here in the springtime as they journey back up north, and many other interesting wildlife can be seen here such as California sea lions, northern fur seals, and island foxes. 

Hike Highlight: Smuggler’s Cove is a lengthy trail with a big payoff. The 7.7 mile route ends at the titular Smuggler’s Cove right on the beach. What better way to reward yourself after a hike than by enjoying the beautiful California coast?

Camping Recommendation: Santa Cruz Scorpion is on the same island as Smuggler’s Cove, making it a convenient option for those who hike the trail. The site features unbeatable views of the ocean, but is far enough inland to be sheltered from the ocean winds.

Gear Suggestion: If you’re planning to visit multiple of the islands within the park, it’s good to pack light. Aquatabs are a compact, lightweight solution that’ll allow you to be light on your feet as you hop from island to island.

Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake might not be the obvious choice for springtime. In the spring the landscape continues to feel the effects of winter, with snow being a common sight this time of year. While perhaps not the first thought for a spring destination, the lake offers cold lovers a chance to hold onto that winter feeling a little bit longer. 

Hike Highlight: Garfield Peak is typically one of the most popular hikes in Crater Lake, making the off season a great time to try it out. The trail offers incredible views of the lake and is in close proximity to sites such as the Rim Village, Crater Lake Lodge, and Applegate Peak.

Camping Recommendation:  This time of year, Mazama campground is going to be your best, and likely only, option for camping. The campground is located just south of the Rim Village and offers over 200 sites.

Gear Suggestion: There’s no need to carry around the extra bulk of water jugs at a place like Crater Lake. With so much freshwater readily available, Puribag is great for those looking to purify lake water. This filter works with P&G Purifier of Water packages to purify water in under 30 minutes, and when empty compresses so that it adds no extra weight to your pack. This product can also be strung up to nearby trees, making it a solid option to have as a camping water filter.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The Rocky Mountains are a hiker’s paradise. With a diverse range of trails, this park is suitable for hikers of any level. Lower elevation hikes are home to beautiful spring flora, while higher elevation hikes remain under snow. The Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect place to say your goodbyes to winter and welcome in the spring. 

Hike Highlight: The Cub Lake Trail encompasses everything you hope to see when in Colorado. A luscious meadow, expansive mountain ranges, and a crisp blue lake. This route is just under 5 miles round trip, but the low elevation gain makes the hike much more manageable. 

Camping Recommendation: With many sites closed for the colder seasons, Aspenglen is going to be the best bet for anyone visiting in springtime. Spots fill up on a first-come, first-served basis so make sure you plan accordingly!

Gear Suggestion: If you’re interested in the backpack design of Vivovlu Freedom Bundle filter but looking for a little more storage capacity, the UZ-BP is for you. This backpack can carry up to 17.5 liters, and does so with incredible ease and comfort.

Be Adventurous, Be Prepared

Make sure you’re setting yourself up for success on your spring adventures. While each of these sites is spectacular, one common theme seems to be a lack of water access. Make sure it’s smooth sailing on your spring adventures this year by making sure you have the gear you need. Check out our suite of water solutions here for even more hiking and camping water filters and purifiers.

Cameron Barnes

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