Spring is a new beginning, inducing an essence of a fresh, lively, and pleasant sensation to life. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or wildlife explorer, love enjoying the breathtaking views, or seeking a peaceful retreat, these top national parks will leave you in awe.
Aside from your travel nursing career, you can collect new experiences and dive into extraordinary horizons. Explore all you long for, from the true wilderness to the sun-drenched landscapes.
Are you ready to delve into the wonders of nature and embark on a journey to stunning national parks? So, let’s look at the best national parks you must not miss this spring.
National Parks for Travel Nurses To Explore In Spring
As a travel nurse, you’ll find some well-known exciting places to visit this year.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
If you wish to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, North Cascade National Park is a must-visit destination, well-known for its peace and solitude. North Cascades Park is a hidden treasure in the northwestern part of Washington.
This national park exhibits the natural beauty of the majestic jagged mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, and pristine forests. Its diverse landscapes provide the best sightings of grizzly bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, Elks, and mountain goats.
Explore the park embracing 300 snow-capped glaciers, extensive ice mounds, 400 miles of a hiking trail, and horseback riding. You can find a perfect spot for bird watching, wildlife, and natural habitat. Venture into the American Alps, offering scenic beauty, true wilderness, and recreation.
Endless cascades are awaiting your way!
Olympic National Park, Washington
In the heart of the Olympic peninsula lies Olympic National Park, displaying the natural splendors of Washington. This park offers scenic wonders for a nature enthusiast, from the 73-mile rugged Pacific coastlines to dazzling glaciers feeding lakes with its clear water.
Whether you want to go hiking over the alpine peaks, cycling on carpets of ferns, or tour Ozetta Lake by boating or rafting on Hoh and Elwha rivers, this national park is a must-visit.
Also, get your binoculars to observe abundant wildlife in the coastal forest. The park has Roosevelt Elk, black bears, marmots, sooty grouse, black oystercatchers, gray whales, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Experience the stretching strips of dense rainforests, sandy beaches, and aesthetic blue lakes!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
It was declared the first National Park in the United States on 1st March 1872. Today, Yellowstone National Park has become a popular attraction for tourists. It’s spread over parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, collectively being the biggest tourist park in the United States.
Yellowstone National Park is the hottest land globally since hot springs, Old Faithful geysers, and numerous geothermal features are burning out the land. Several toxic gasses are released into the air, so it would not be wrong to say that Yellowstone is on fire.
Looking at the other side of the picture, Yellowstone National Park is famous for its wildlife, fishes, birds, and charming waterfalls. In spring, it’s a lot of fun skiing, horse riding, or hiking. Hence, you’ll always find pleasure in visiting Yellowstone National Park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is the main attraction in northeastern California. Being one of the largest volcano domes, one of the biggest volcanoes in the world. It’s well known for various types of active volcanoes, Lassen Peak, surrounded by small meadows and boiling springs.
The flowing lakes, huge mountains, wild plants, and the painted lava bed exhibit the scenic beauty of this piece of land. This national park occupies the habitat of 300 species. About 7800 feet below appears a forest that is a habitat of many four-legged animals. Whereas, above 7800 feet, the enormous mountains are the home for squirrels, rosy finch, pika, and many more creatures.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a land of two mixed habitats. Therefore, when visiting this park, you pack the necessary items and wear comfortable shoes to enjoy hiking mountains, hunting deer, and exploring the lake. So, plan the trip to Lassen Peak right now!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Are you on the med of your assignment to Cleveland? With a 30-minute drive, you reach an epicenter of marshy wetlands and limestone ledges.
It’s the only national park in Ohio, stretching 50 square miles along Cleveland and Akron. Cuyahoga’s green oasis is filled with groovy woodlands, lush forests, winding streams, thundering cascades, and many wildlife like deer, coyotes, and beavers, which soothes eyes with its tranquil and fresh atmosphere.
A perfect spot for outdoor adventure to relish woodland hiking, bike trails, and railroad rides through the valley. Not only a recreational or a national sightseeing park but is also available for urban accessibility, ready to behold for a picturesque nature glimpse.
Let’s reveal the best park of Cuyahoga Valley national park. Its entrance and amenities are completely free!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Put a glimpse of the history, the traditional horses and carriages are handy to provide you with a ride on the stony roads. Walk on 27 miles of stone roads, travel 45 miles on the carriage, and go for 158 miles of hiking trails.
Surprisingly, once you finish your leisure activities, fulfill your appetite with popovers and strawberry jam from Jordan Pond House. It’s a historic restaurant of the 1870s that has worthy memories of the park.
It’s also a habitat for black bears, moose, bird species, and marine animals, including porpoises, seals, and whales.
Acadia is the top-most visited national park in the northeastern U.S. If you’re a nature enthusiast or adventurer, Acadia National Park offers a huge recreational opportunity to make your day memorable.
Acadia National Park has something for you!
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Have you ever seen a white sandy desert? No, so whenever you are near New Mexico, don’t miss the White Sands National Park visit.
Situated in the dome of Tularosa Basin, it encompasses 275 square miles of desert with gypsum dune fields dazzling on the floor. As far as you see, there is an endless blanket of white sandy dunes, increasing up to 30 feet yearly due to the northeast sandy breeze. Along with the gypsum hearth mounds, white sands national park is a dome of Ice Age footprints.
A breathtaking view of the stark sea of sand preserves Mexico’s unique history. Feel your feet sinking in the smooth wavy dunes. You will have a view of wild animals such as kit foxes, coyotes, desert cottontails, and reptile species.
If you’re a fearless adventurer, head on for the thrill of outdoor activities like trekking, cycling, driving, and sand surfing in New Mexico’s park.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Nevada’s Great Basin National Park stands out for its rich outdoor wonders for visitors. Beneath the starry skies, shining stars are towering bristlecone pines, limestone caves, and the oldest trees – an outdoor paradise. It has booming mountains, desert swathes, meandering streams, and diverse ecosystems.
Besides hiking and biking, you can go for different outdoor activities, whether trailing 13,064 Wheeler peak summit, rock climbing, horseback riding, Lehman campgrounds, backcountry fishing, or cave touring – you’ve got plenty of opportunities.
Keep an eye out for wildlife viewing of porcupines, ringtail cats, bighorn sheep, and marmots, appreciating the 77,000-acre geographical diversity of Great Basin national park, offering jaw-dropping views of nearby mountains and valleys.
One of the features that makes it a popular attraction is the striking Lehman caverns displaying unique and spectacular rocks, including stalagmites, helictites, and more!
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Explore a 400 miles extensive cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park! It covers the country’s river valleys, Nolin river and hilly areas, designated as a World Heritage Site And International Biosphere Reserve. This national park comprises scenic overlooks on 52,000 acres of forest, valley, and mountains.
It’s the largest natural cave with a 560 km underground network of passageways. This thousand years old classic historic cave with dark tunnels, huge rooms, and confined spaces ascends deep into steep inclines. Here, you’ll love the history and sense of adventure.
When you’re close to Kentucky, go trailing, camping, canoeing, lodging, stargazing, and tour to a mammoth cave. Explore the universe beneath the earth!
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The splendid example of arid land erosion, 278 miles across the Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park is mapped in Arizona. The Canyon is a little deep, but its size and color are the most admirable tourist attraction.
The Grand Canyon is divided into North and South rims. The South edge, 7000 feet above sea level, is famous for ranger talks and rafting, while the North rim, 1000 feet higher, is an exciting point for climbing and camping.
It’s a great experience having a trip to Grand Canyon National Park. You can enjoy different activities, such as hiking, riding, canoeing, and strolling. The landscape and fun activities are the only sources of enjoyment at such sites.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion national park nestles in the southwestern corner of Utah, where you can have access even if you’re near Arizona, Nevada, the Grand Canyon, Les Vegas, or salt lake city.
It’s Utah’s first national park; you can walk along the stunning vibrant sandstones, boat in the freshwater rivers, enjoy backpacking and horseback riding, and observe the natural rock arches. You can also hike to a 2000 feet deep Zion Canyon and refresh yourself in the Virgin River.
Moreover, approach the Navajo sandstone cliffs, juniper trees, flowing springs, and cascading waterfalls with lush green hangings. This national park comprises up to 1000 plant species that are a food source for wildlife, such as the endangered Mexican owls and Californian condors.
Conclusion
Being a travel nurse, you can deal with your professional career alongside enjoying the wonders of visiting places. If you’re heading on a travel assignment to Washington, California, Ohio, Kentucky, Maine, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, or New Mexico – you’ve got to visit the above destinations.
Explore the best national parks to have a breathtaking view of the iconic landmarks, scenic beauty, and diverse ecosystems, and make it an unforgettable experience forever.
Hope the guide helped you know the national parks you can visit on your next trip. So, keep these destinations on your bucket list to enjoy the perks of being a travel nurse!
