15 Stunning US National Parks to Visit in May
Want to catch America’s national parks at their absolute best? May rolls out the red carpet with perfect hiking temps, blooming wildflowers, and active wildlife.
We’ve handpicked 15 spectacular parks where nature’s showing off its finest features – without the summer tourist crush!
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1. Great Basin National Park, NV
Hidden in Nevada’s remote corners, Great Basin National Park is a stargazer’s dream with some of the darkest night skies in America.
Wander among ancient bristlecone pines that have watched over these lands for thousands of years – they’re literally some of the oldest living things on Earth!
The Lehman Caves beckon with their mysterious marble formations, while scenic drives wind up to Wheeler Peak’s alpine zones.
Where to Stay: Hidden Canyon Retreat offers a secluded mountain escape with panoramic views of the Great Basin wilderness.
2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
Descend into an underground realm that feels like stepping onto another planet at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
The Natural Entrance trail zigzags down into the earth for about an hour, revealing otherworldly formations at every turn.
May’s mild temps make the desert surroundings perfectly pleasant for above-ground exploring before your subterranean adventure.
Where to Stay: Home2 Suites By Hilton Carlsbad offers modern comfort with kitchen-equipped suites just minutes from the cave entrance.
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3. Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Capitol Reef National Park packs all the punch of Utah’s famous parks but with way fewer selfie sticks to dodge.
The park’s scenic drive rivals Zion’s best views, while slot canyons and 4×4 trails await the adventurous.
Keep your eyes peeled for the quirky Glass Mountain and mysterious Gypsum Sinkhole – they’re like nature’s art installations.
Where to Stay: Capitol Reef Resort stands out with its unique glamping options and prime location just one mile from the park entrance.
4. Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
Sandy beaches meet rare ecosystems in Indiana Dunes National Park. May brings perfect temps for tackling the diverse trails that weave through dunes, wetlands, and prairies.
Bird nerds, grab your binoculars – spring migration turns this place into a feathered fashion show.
The contrast between pristine nature and the Chicago skyline creates some seriously cool photo ops.
Where to Stay: Spring House Inn nestles in the woods, putting you right in the middle of the action with trail access from your doorstep.
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5. Shenandoah National Park, VA
The Blue Ridge Mountains show off their spring wardrobe in May, with wildflowers carpeting the meadows.
Skyline Drive serves up jaw-dropping vistas around every bend, while trails to spots like Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Mountain reward hikers with pure magic.
Chasing waterfalls? You’ll find them scattered throughout the park like nature’s hidden treasures.
Where to Stay: Skyland offers rooms perched at the highest point on Skyline Drive, delivering dreamy sunrise views.
6. White Sands National Park, NM
Wave after wave of pure white gypsum dunes stretch as far as the eye can see at White Sands National Park, creating a surreal landscape that looks like it belongs on another planet.
The park’s pristine dunes are perfect for sledding – grab a saucer from the visitor center and zoom down slopes that reach up to 60 feet high.
Insider Tip: Pack a picnic and claim one of the shaded tables scattered throughout the dunes for lunch.
Where to Stay: Home2 Suites By Hilton Alamogordo offers spacious rooms with full kitchens just minutes from the park entrance.
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7. Isle Royale National Park, MI
This remote island wilderness floating in Lake Superior is a playground for adventurers seeking true solitude.
With 165 miles of trails winding through dense forests and along rocky shores, you might spot more moose than people.
The waters teem with lake trout and northern pike, while the night sky puts on a dazzling show thanks to some of the darkest skies on Earth.
Where to Stay: Rock Harbor Lodge offers the only full-service lodging on the island, with rooms featuring stunning Lake Superior views.
8. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA
These sister parks pack a one-two punch of natural wonders. Stand among ancient giants in the largest remaining sequoia grove on Earth, including the General Sherman Tree – the biggest living thing around.
The scenery shifts dramatically from towering forests to deep canyons that rival Yosemite’s grandeur.
Kings Canyon’s scenic byway winds through glacier-carved valleys that’ll make your jaw drop.
Where to Stay: Wuksachi Lodge sits in the heart of Sequoia, surrounded by towering sequoias and offering cozy rooms with mountain views.
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9. Yosemite National Park, CA
Granite cliffs soar skyward while waterfalls thunder down their faces – Yosemite National Park never fails to amaze.
With over 800 miles of trails to explore, you can find your own piece of solitude even among the crowds.
The free shuttle system makes it a breeze to hit all the highlights, from El Capitan to Mirror Lake. May brings rushing waterfalls and wildflower-dotted meadows.
Where to Stay: The Ahwahnee stands as the crown jewel of park lodging, welcoming guests with elegant architecture and exceptional service since the 1920s.
10. Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Tucked into towering cliffs, ancient Puebloan dwellings tell fascinating stories of ingenuity and survival at Mesa Verde National Park.
This UNESCO World Heritage site protects over 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.
The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road takes you on a journey through time, with stops at 12 different ancestral sites.
Where to Stay: Far View Lodge perches high on the mesa with rooms offering expansive views of four different states.
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11. Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
North America’s tallest sand dunes rise dramatically against the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating a surreal landscape that’ll make your jaw drop.
The massive dunes cover 30 square miles and tower up to 750 feet high – perfect for sandboarding and sledding year-round.
When Medano Creek flows in late spring, it creates a beach-like atmosphere at the dunes’ base, complete with waves thanks to a unique surge flow phenomenon. After dark, the ultra-dark skies put on an incredible stargazing show.
Where to Stay: Great Sand Dunes Lodge offers panoramic views of both the dunes and mountains from private patios just minutes from the park entrance.
12. Yellowstone National Park, WY/MT
The world’s first national park is nature showing off its finest! With over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including the reliable Old Faithful geyser, you’ll feel like you’re exploring another planet.
Spot free-roaming herds of bison, elk, and maybe even wolves or grizzlies in their natural habitat.
The park spans an epic 2.2 million acres packed with dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, and lush forests.
Where to Stay: Old Faithful Inn stands as an architectural marvel, offering rustic luxury and front-row seats to Old Faithful’s regular shows.
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13. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN/NC
America’s most-visited national park really knows how to put on a show in spring. With over 850 miles of trails winding through ancient forests, you can chase waterfalls, spot black bears, and discover hidden pioneer cabins.
The park boasts more than 1,500 flowering plants and over 200 species of birds. Skip the crowds by hitting the trails early – sunrise from Kuwohi is pure magic.
Where to Stay: LeConte Lodge, perched atop Mount LeConte, offers the only lodging inside the park with sweeping views of the misty mountains.
14. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park is a massive natural amphitheater stuffed with thousands of spiky red rock formations called hoodoos.
Take the Navajo Loop down into a maze of towering pinnacles, or catch sunrise at Inspiration Point when the rocks glow like they’re lit from within.
After dark, the star show is out of this world thanks to some of the darkest night skies around.
Where to Stay: Bryce Canyon Lodge sits right on the canyon rim, offering historic charm and unbeatable access to sunrise and sunset views.
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15. Canyonlands National Park, UT
Carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, this park is basically three parks in one epic package.
The Island in the Sky district floats 1,500 feet above the surrounding landscape, serving up jaw-dropping views that stretch forever.
The Needles district beckons with its candy-striped rock spires, while The Maze challenges adventurers with remote backcountry exploration.
Where to Stay: Under Canvas Moab offers luxury glamping with stunning views of the surrounding red rock landscape just minutes from the park entrance.
