Noteworthy National Parks to Visit in May

May, the month of flowers, temperate weather and longer days.  It is that optimal time of year to visit various national parks to avoid extreme heat or to view the local flora and fauna. Strap up your boots and get ready for one beautiful month of outdoor possibilities. For those looking for a Memorial Day trip, better book your lodging quickly as this is busy season for these spectacular parks.

Spring is the perfect time to visit Utah’s desert national parks. Not only will you avoid the extreme summer heat,but you will be able to hike and meander around without worrying about heat exhaustion or dehydration. The Grand Circle tour includes various parks and starts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The route includes visiting these parks: Zion, Bryce, Canyonland Capitol Reef, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Arches and can also includes part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Each park features it’s own beauty and landscape, but all with one this in common – desert. Wildlife and plant-life is active and abundant during the spring months.

Springtime brings out the best in Joshua. Throughout the  month of May, the Cactus are in bloom and is known to be an ideal time of year for birding. The birds enjoy the warmer spring weather, which is why various species of birds migrate to Joshua to nest or stop by before further migration.

Subtropical Everglades is a biodiversity region in lush Florida. Springtime is ideal as visitors beat the extreme Florida heat and humidity as well as the flock of  bugs. Birds are abundant in springtime, which brings much life in the air and alligator eating-action in the water. Bird species include heron, egrets, pelicans and roseate spoonbills.

Although there maybe snow in early May, late May is a site filled of flowers and wildlife. Common spring bloom includes sagebrush buttercup, arrowleaf balsalmroot, Nuttall’s violet, low larkspur and biscuitroot. The elk and buffalo migrate to this area with the opportunity to view buffalo calves, who are orange in color. Due to melting snow, the rivers are flowing wild, but best of all, no mosquitoes. Plus, visitors beat the summer crowd; therefore, more solo time in nature.

May flourishes in floral life with ground cover including trillium and pink azaleas. Visiting throughout May beats the summer heat and humidity. Plus, visitors are treated to the sweet sound of migrating birds chirping and the possibility to see Bambi in real life. There are two ways to enjoy the park. One way is to drive the scenic Skyline Drive. The other is to explore on foot through various hiking trails that meander through flowered meadows or lush forests.

The Grand Canyon is a World Heritage Site that includes over one million acres of land. The deepest valley is 6,000 feet deep and is “split” into two rims, north and south. The average May temperature for the North Rim is 62 degrees and South Rim is 70 degrees respectively. The popular south rim is the most ideal in May before the heat wave flashes through in summer.