Joshua Tree would be nice in February.

Thanks for all your recommendations (and keep them coming)! Lots to research — just took out a couple of National Park guidebooks (ebooks) from the library so I'll start reading.

BTW I forgot to mention that we visited Shenandoah NP briefly for one day last April while visiting Charlottesville. It was in the second half of April and it actually was snowing and they had to close the road for one day, and we had to shift our schedule one day later in order to visit. The trails were snow/slush covered!

yk--I try to make it a goal to visit a National Park or Monument on every vacation we take. It's actually not hard! There are so many! There are fun maps that you can color in to show which parks/monuments you visit. There are places within the National Park Service management in cities like DC, New Orleans, San Francisco, etc. We visited Joshua Tree NP for a day in combo with a great trip to Palm Springs. It doesn't have to be all NP--it can be a combo!

n the Gorge, the waterfalls will all be amazing, the orchards and vineyards in the Hood River Valley will be in spring bloom, with Mount Hood (still skiing but Timberline Lodge is a blast) looming over all. South of the Columbia you could visit Smith Rock State Park (amazing "old west" scenery) or head out to the painted hills and fossil beds at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It's all in easy range from Portland airport, with plenty of accommodations in the area. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/k2kxR9F7mhHXbVVo9

We just returned from a very short visit to this area and it is truly a treat. The falls are dramatic and accessible.

I would recommend you to visit Yellowstone national park. The top attractions you can see is Upper Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, etc.

If you want to see lots of snow, you can go to Crater Lake NP via the south entrance year round. There are 2 hour ranger led snowshoe hikes from about December 10 to April 30 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. They leave from the parking lot of the Crater Lake lodge. The lodge is closed for the winter so the lodging would be in Medford or Klamath Falls. nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit Call 541 594 3100 for current conditions.
The snowshoes are provided free of charge for the duration of your snowshoe hike. When I went, I brought my own snowshoes which I prefer to the Park Service snowshoes.
There are a few SnoParks outside Bend Oregon where you can X-Country ski or snowshoe. They are along the road up to Mt. Bachelor. In addition to skiing, Mt. Bachelor has a snow tubing hill.

February is a perfect time to visit Big Bend National Park. Spring comes early there along the Mexican border. It's one of the most remote national parks in the Lower 48. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, wildlife observation, and stargazing. Additionally, the Rio Grande borders the park for 118 miles providing options for half-day floats to extended excursion by raft. You could fly into El Paso and rent a car. https://www.nationalparks.org/explor...-national-park

Re:reading this thread from almost 2.5 years ago. Since then we have crossed Saguaro, Death Valley, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons off the list.

Based on your recommendations:
Feb options

• Everglades
• Dry Tortugas
• Joshua Tree
• Big Bend
• US Virgin Islands

April options

• UT (canyonlands, Arches,) Moab
• Great Smoky Mtns / Blueridge Parkway
• Oregon Mt Hood/ Columbia Gorge
• Coastal CA/ Monterey Bay
• Yosemite

I already have plans for 2026 Feb and April, so these will have to wait until 2027, and I am also tempted to visit Cinque Terre April 2027.
Are some of these April options (Utah, Oregon, Coastal CA, Yosemite) okay to visit in late June, after school has ended for the year?

Mid April would be totally fine for Yosemite most years. Only problem is IF it is a heavy/late snow season 1) the waterfalls night not be running much yet (but seeing them fall as 'snow' is sort of unique 00 the water freezes as it falls) and 2) there is the possibility of snow storns affecting access/driving.

Early June is fabulous in Yosemite - little likelihood of snow storms, the waterfalls are flowing at their fullest, and it isn't too crowded. By late Junes though accommodations are usually fully booked up but as long as you plan far enough ahead -- it would be great. Be sure to stay IN Yosemite Valley. Many properties that advertise being close to YNP or even INSIDE the park will be a an hour or even 2 hour drive from the Valley. One exception is Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. It is the closest property and is only a 15-20 minute drive from the Valley floor.

Most of the CA coast is not that great in June. We have this thing called June Gloom where it is foggy and or overcast (and often cold) most of the day. We say one can always spot the early summer tourists in SF and all along the coast. Shorts, blue knees from the cold and brand new sweatshirts.

The best time to visit the coast (when most natives go) is in the Fall - Mid September through mid/late October. That is when it is warmest, nicest along most of the coast.

Hi janis, our April vacation is always the 3rd week of the month. I might be looking April 2028 at this point. We can't do early June - school doesn't let out until mid-June, and that's not counting snow days. I think more realistic is last week of June.

As for the coast, yes, I know it's cold. We were in SF for a wedding years ago in late june, and I had to buy a jacket! Fall is a non-starter; impossible to take my son out of school when school literally just starts.

Mid to late June is good in YNP - as long as you book far ahead (one can often get last minute cancellations but for a family trip I wouldn't want to count on that) Unless it is a particularly dry year, the waterfalls are usually still close to peak flow. I'd just try to be as far before July 1 and all the 4th of July crowds as possible.

The Yosemite View Lodge I mentioned is a very large property (almost 350 rooms) and usually has space available much closer to the date. It is a great place for a family being right on the river plus having indoor and outdoor pools, AFAIK all rooms have kitchenettes plus there's a restaurant and on-site laundry. It is not in the Valley but is the closest and best alternative.

We've been to Moab in late April twice now and the weather was fantastic both times.

We liked the Oregon coast/Crater Lake/Hood River loop as well, but went in September not April. Crater Lake park isn't closed just the trail down to the boat tours. When we went late September 2016 the North entrance and Crater Lake rim drive were closed due to snow, not sure what late April is like.

If you wanted to do a California trip, you could easily do two, Joshua Tree and Channel Islands from Ventura.

For Joshua Tree you can stay in any of several nearby cities. No lodging inside the Park.

Channel Islands is a National Park now. Check Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. The Visitor Center is in the Ventura Harbor.