Romantic Getaways for the Spring

There’s that moment as winter has yet to thaw out, but you can feel that spring is just around the corner.

With Valentine’s Day mid-February, spring melts in soon thereafter—buds waiting to burst into bloom, birds starting to return and build nests for future hatchlings, and insects begin buzzing around. With countless parks with gorgeous scenery waiting to play host, it’s the perfect time to have a beautiful Valentine’s Day or just a romantic date in a national park with your loved one.

Joshua Tree National Park

California

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About the Park

Visitors can explore 800,000 acres of beautiful terrain in Joshua Tree National Park, where wildlife thrives in temperatures over 100 degrees.

Things to Do

  • Children’s Programs
  • Hiking
  • Tours
  • Biking
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Picnicking
  • Stargazing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Shopping
  • Off-Roading
  • Scenic Drive
Plan Your Visit

Whimsical Wildflowers

There’s no need to bring a bouquet of flowers when one of the world’s most eye-popping wildflower blooms appear in the California desert. Coinciding with the arrival of spring rains — as early as February at lower elevations — the desert wildflower blooms of Joshua Tree National Park simply have to be seen to believed. Most of the park is wilderness, so for couples who enjoy backpacking together, Joshua Tree offers a truly unique landscape to explore.

(Hannah Schwalbe / NPS)

Shenandoah National Park

Virginia

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About the Park

Hiking along the Appalachian Trail, fly-fishing, and rafting are just some of the possible activities in this national park near Washington, D.C.

Things to Do

  • Children’s Programs
  • Hiking
  • Historical
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback Riding
  • Picnicking
  • Stargazing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Shopping
  • Off-Roading
  • Scenic Drive
Plan Your Visit

Skyline Sunrise with the Sweetheart

Virginia is for lovers, as you may have heard, and Shenandoah National Park is the place to reconnect with someone you love. The park’s best-known feature is Skyline Drive, a 105-mile ribbon of scenic highway that rides the crest of the Blue Ridge and provides access to hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and too many landmarks and scenic overlooks to count.

(NPS)

Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands

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About the Park

Covering the majority of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands National Park features breathtaking beaches, tropical forests, and relics from the island history.

Things to Do

  • Hiking
  • Tours
  • Arts & Culture
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Picnicking
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • Water Activities
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Shopping
Plan Your Visit

Sunny Snorkeling with the Sweetie

On the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this park preserves an almost untouched tropical paradise with white sand beaches, crystal blue water, and vivid subtropical forests. Virgin Islands National Park offers a chance to capture the tropical vacation you’ve always wanted, from snorkeling and scuba diving to sailing and bird watching. The park’s Cinnamon Bay Campground includes sites that already have tents set up, complete with flooring and mosquito netting.

(A. Smith / NPS)

Big Bend National Park

Texas

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About the Park

Big Bend offers plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. The park boasts 150 miles of hiking trails through mountainous desert terrain and along rivers.

Things to Do

  • Children’s Programs
  • Hiking
  • Tours
  • Biking
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Stargazing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Off-Roading
  • Scenic Drive
Plan Your Visit

Sweet Shimmering Stars

The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. For all you stargazers out there, Big Bend National Park features some of the clearest night skies in the country. The springtime is a wonderful time to go explore this park with little chance of rain and before the summer heat sets in. With hundreds of campsites to watch the dreamy stars at night, this Texas national park is a great place to plan a romantic getaway.

(Rowdy Winters / Share the Experience)

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

New York

The giant falls of Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

About the Park

Located on a 13 mile stretch of the Niagara River, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is home to natural wonders, rich cultural traditions, and nationally significant historical sites.


Things to Do

  • Hiking
  • Historical
  • Arts & Culture
  • Birdwatching
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
Plan Your Visit

An Oldie but a Goodie

Sure, it’s a cliché, but what’s wrong with that? Niagara Falls remains one of the tried-and-true romantic getaways in North America, and its inexhaustible waters continue to be a source of inspiration. With the melting winter snow and the April showers to bring the May flowers, spring time at Niagara Falls will only put on a more astounding show. Plus, there’s a lot more going on in Niagara Falls National Heritage Area than just the waterfall. Why not visit the Niagara Falls Aquarium and the historic Old Fort Niagara?

(Orbital Joe / Flickr)
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