Perhaps I'm biting off too much here but I'd hate to waste a vacation opportunity. Our family of 4 (kids 14 & 11) has just moved back to the States after 3 years in the UK. Given all that is involved with the move, I've not had time time to think about our Spring Break.

I'm not the sit on the beach type and we don't ski. I would really like to get back to visiting some National Parks. We enjoy walking/hiking and being outdoors but we are lodge/hotel types (rather than camping).

In June 2010, we had a great trip to GC/Bryce/Zion. Any suggestions for a week in March for something similar but different? I've always assumed that the weather would be too iffy for anything in the mountains but perhaps there are some options, even at this late date.

Thanks for helping this time strapped vacation planner out.

Nantucket friends took their kids (12 and 15) to Texas last winter, specifically Big Bend NP and thereabouts, the drove across the state for a few days in San Antonio and Austin. They had a hard time getting the kids to come home. It was quite a change of scene for people who live on an island that is 13 x 3.5 mikes.

I spent the same number of years in England at roughly the same ages as your kids. The big shock getting home was how big and empty everything was, and there is not much that is bigger emptier than southern Texas.

If you decide to make this trip, do not read or see "No Country for Old Men", and if you should find. Bunch of bodies and a suitcase with $2,000,000 in it out in the middle of the desert, just leave it here you found it and drive off into the sunset.

Have a look at Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. There's a very wide range of accommodations in PS (boutiques to golfy, in all price ranges) and Joshua Tree is an hour away, with fabulous short hikes, amazing plant life, rocks for climbing or looking...

In addition there's the aerial tram in PS, great food and shopping, and access is very easy either at Palm Springs airport, or Ontario (or even LAX) being only an hour or two from PS.

JTNP -
http://gardyloo.us/20110205_55a.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/20110205_92a.JPG

Another possibility is the Monterey Peninsula and the Big Sur coast. No national parks per se, but Point Lobos State Park has fabulous wildlife; the aquarium in Monterey is amazing, the butterflies might still be around in Pacific Grove, and the elephant seals at San Simeon too. Visit the Hearst Castle, see the redwoods at Big Basin, hit the amusement park and/or watch the surfers at Santa Cruz... fantastic region.

Monarchs at Pacific Grove - http://gardyloo.us/20130124_187a.JPG
Elephant seals at San Simeon - http://gardyloo.us/20130124_7a.JPG
Big Sur coast - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_20H1a.jpg

The Pacific Coast of California is an excellent way to spend your time... there are dozens of stops between San Francisco and Los Angeles with great nature and touristy appeal... lots of hotel options and world's best scenery...

my kids' favorite vacation...

There are other options in Utah, namely Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, several state parks, etc.

Death Valley is also great in spring. You could combine it with Mojave and/or Joshua Tree.

Big Bend is awesome but ridiculously busy during Spring Break. Every lodging room and campsite in the park is booked up. It's probably my favorite place to visit but I would not recommend it during Spring Break. Late February is similar weather with almost nobody there.

You could also go to Phoenix/Tucson and visit Saguaro NP, Chiricahua, Organ Pipe Cactus and some state parks and national forests.

Lots of good ideas here, but since I used to live in southern AZ I will put in a plug for Tucson and environs. The Chiricahuas are an amazing site to see and offer lots of fun hiking; in and around Tucson the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Monument are great; and San Xavier del Bac, Kartchner Caverns, the Huachuca Mountains (and Ramsey Canyon), Bisbee (particularly the old Copper Queen mine, which you can god down into with retired miners) are all excellent destinations south of town. Loads of things to do but very uncrowded and relatively underdeveloped.

All good ideas here. I'd look at what flights and lodging I could get and go from there. My first choice would be some of the Utah parks, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Staircase, etc. but you really can't miss with the Arizona, Texas, or California choices either.

If money matters, don't just check airfare as car rentals and lodging can vary by hundreds of $ depending on which city you fly in to.

Have a great trip.

I second NewbE's suggestions. Good weather in March, great hiking and many interesting sites to explore.

How about New Mexico? Spend a couple of days at Carlsbad Caverns, drive over to White Sands National Monument, head up to Albuquerque (we have a great zoo, aquarium, the tram, etc.), Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos (there might be some snow there).
www.nps.gov/cave
www.nps.gov/band

Lee Ann

Thanks for all the suggestions -- I've got some reading to do!

Even though I live in California - have never been a huge fan of the desert parks - Death Valley, Palm Springs area, Joshua tree, etc. One time maybe - but to me - nothing compared with incredible beauty of driving up/down the Cal Coast - as is the Oregon coast - and the other/higher parks in the Northwest - and/or Colorado/Montana - in addition to the parks you have visited in Utah, etc.

And in May/June you should be fine at most altitudes - and if you do get a snow dusting - all the better.

Yosemite here in central Cal is also beautiful - as are the Redwood parks further north, and then there also is Yellowstone.

Happy research.

Meant to add - at spring break - you are probably still ok at most parks (may need to layer up) - but some late spring storms could still blow in. Need to be checking the weather/"normal" patterns and if still in doubt - plan on the lower altitudes.

OP specifically said a week in March, not May/June.

March is not a good time to visit Yellowstone or the mountainous parks for a spring break trip. There's far too much potential to be grounded by storms and too many roads are closed.

tom: Spring Break isn't in May/June.

Hi Indy Dad. So you've moved back Stateside. We'll miss all your TRs on the Europe forum

March/Spring break time is good for Yosemite Valley but one can't get into the back country. It is usually good along the central California coast but late spring storms can mess things up. There are fantastic State and National parks up north in the Redwoods but March wouldn't be my favorite time to visit them.

I'd personally look at desert areas - Death Valley, Arizona, some of the Utah parks, or New Mexico.

Hmmm - now we have a 2nd woman who didn't read my follow-on post?

In any event - depending on how strong a winter we have - and what is going on the week you plan to travel - you might or might not want to visit a "Winter Wanderland".

See websites for more info - the closer you come to your travel week. http://www.liveweatherblogs.com/inde...d=8&Itemid=179

Spring Break is a wide window. In most of New England, students get a week off in February (which is when my friends went to South Texas) and another week off in April.

It might help to know your exact dates.

Well, I did say March in the OP. I think it is the 22-29th (I'm at the in-laws at the moment).

I think we'll save Yosemite for another (more optimal) time. We visited friends in San Fran (Livermore) 10 years or so ago and got a taste of that area as well. Lots of good choices.

Canvasing the troops here, the Utah parks got the highest eyebrow raise (i.e. interest). A quick perusal of semi-recent posts always seem to include Bryce/Zion. What's a good week plan for Arches/Canyonlands and the "other" parks? And the likelihood of freezing temps/snow?

[Thanks janisj -- it was a great experience. We plan to make it back of course, but we'll focus on the States for 2014 at least.]

We've done several trips to the area, most recent this fall. If you click my name here you will get to the page I've generated, scroll down to find TRs that will give you an idea of the routes and times we spent in the area.

You will probably find similar TRs if you click the names of others who have posted here.

1.5 - 2 days in Arches...Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, Devils Garden loop, etc.

1 - 2 days for Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park.

1 day to drive to and hike Horseshoe Canyon

1/2 day for Goblin Valley, 1/2 day for a slot canyon or two

1-2 days in Capitol Reef

That's a week right there and you can definitely find other things to do if something doesn't interest you.

As a Utah resident, *I* would not go to southern Utah in March. Weather is too iffy. Could be really cold. You are looking at the end of March, so it would be better but I wouldn't chance it. This year, we are going to Palm Springs/Joshua Tree. (kids 11 and 8) A couple of years ago we went to Tucson and had a BLAST. (you can click on my name to find a trip report on that as well as TRs on Arches and Capitol Reef etc with kids)

Don't get me wrong, I looooove Southern Utah--it's a huge part of why I live here. But it could be cold in March. I guess it also depends on how much you need to be warm. Last year we went to DC and it was chilly but we had a great time. This year, we are going for warm.

Arches will be your best bet because it is lower in elevation than Capitol Reef. Grand Staircase--I wouldn't do. Too many dirt roads that turn to goop in a snow/rain storm.