March is wildflower month in the Southwest and California. After a wet winter, desert annuals bloom, the coastal islands turn yellow, and condors ride the thermals over Pinnacles.
Spring is Pinnacles' season. Green hills, wildflowers and temperatures in the 60s–70s come months before summer's 90s. California condors are active over the High Peaks.
Hikes to do: High Peaks Loop, Condor Gulch, Moses Spring, Balconies Cave
Don't miss: The High Peaks, where you're most likely to see condors, Bear Gulch Reservoir, The talus caves (check the live alerts: caves close seasonally for bat colonies)
Tip: Parking at Bear Gulch fills on spring weekends. The West side is often quieter.
Desert wildflowers peak in March and early April after winter rain, with poppies, lupine and brittlebush below the saguaros. Days sit in the 70s.
Hikes to do: Cactus Forest Loop, Douglas Spring, Signal Hill Petroglyphs, Tanque Verde Ridge
Don't miss: Cactus Forest Loop Drive wildflowers, Signal Hill petroglyphs, Tanque Verde Ridge views
Tip: Bloom intensity depends on winter rain. Check the park's alerts and news before you plan around it.
Wildflowers move upslope from the Colorado Desert into the Mojave, and Joshua trees themselves may bloom in a good year. Comfortable hiking in the 70s.
Hikes to do: Mastodon Peak, Lost Palms Oasis, Fortynine Palms Oasis, Split Rock Loop
Don't miss: Cottonwood Spring area blooms, Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock and Jumbo Rocks
Tip: Spring break is the busiest period of the year. Go early or midweek.
Wet-season rains turn the islands green, giant coreopsis blazes yellow on Anacapa, and gray whales are migrating along the channel crossing. Your boat ride may double as a whale watch.
Hikes to do: Inspiration Point, Cavern Point Loop, Potato Harbor, Smugglers Cove
Don't miss: Anacapa Island's Inspiration Point, Santa Cruz Island's Scorpion Ranch and Cavern Point, Kayaking the Santa Cruz sea caves (with a guide)
Tip: Boat trips are weather-dependent and can be canceled on short notice. Build in a spare day.
Peak wildflower season in wet years, with days in the upper 70s before spring heat arrives in April. This is the last really comfortable month for the long lowland hikes.
Hikes to do: Golden Canyon, Natural Bridge, Mosaic Canyon, Salt Creek Interpretive
Don't miss: Badwater Road bloom areas, Golden Canyon, Mesquite Flat Dunes
Tip: Midday highs can already hit the 80s late in the month. Start early.
Texas bluebonnets and cactus blooms paint the lower desert, and the Rio Grande canyons are still comfortable before May's heat.
Hikes to do: Lost Mine Trail, Santa Elena Canyon, Mule Ears Spring, Window Trail
Don't miss: Bluebonnets along the park roads, Santa Elena Canyon, Chisos Basin
Tip: Spring break (mid-March) is the park's busiest stretch. Lodging and campsites book months ahead.
Before the mosquitoes and humidity of summer, Congaree's old-growth floodplain forest is at its most pleasant. Spring green-up starts under some of the tallest trees in the East.
Hikes to do: Boardwalk Loop, Weston Lake Loop, Oakridge Trail, Sims Trail
Don't miss: The elevated Boardwalk Loop through old-growth bottomland, Weston Lake, Paddling Cedar Creek
Tip: The floodplain floods after heavy rain. Check the live alerts for trail closures.