Spring is a season of promise, especially for photographers. After months of muted winter palettes, the colors start creeping back—subtle at first, then full-on technicolor. Rivers swell, animals stir, and wildflowers go wild. It’s the kind of sensory overload that makes you reach instinctively for your camera. But with 63 U.S. National Parks to choose from, the question isn’t if you should go out and shoot—it’s where.

Here are five national parks that come alive in spring and offer some of the most jaw-dropping, memory-card-filling photography opportunities in the U.S. this season.

1. Yosemite National Park, California

Why spring is great for photography here: Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls.

Yes, Yosemite is iconic. Yes, it’s been shot a million times. But if you haven’t been in spring, you haven’t really seen it.

This is waterfall season. Bridalveil, Vernal, Nevada, and of course, Yosemite Falls are all thundering with snowmelt. The mist rises and refracts light, sometimes even throwing rainbows your way. Valley meadows start to green up, and dogwoods bloom with delicate white flowers that contrast beautifully with granite backdrops.

Pro tip: Don’t skip Tunnel View at sunrise. It’s classic for a reason. But also explore the valley floor—spring means fresh angles, soft greens, and a lot less foot traffic than summer.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Why spring is great for photography here: Layers. Mist. And wildflowers for days.

The Smokies might be the most underrated photo destination this time of year. Sure, fall gets all the glory with its rich foliage, but spring quietly shows up with moodier drama and a painter’s palette of wildflowers. Over 1,500 flowering plant species bloom here—trillium, lady’s slipper orchids, and mountain laurels among them.

Photographers love the low-lying mist that snakes through the valleys, especially at dawn. Find a high vantage point like Clingmans Dome, wait for the light to break, and watch that soft haze work2w its magic. You’ll get that layered look that’s tailor-made for telephoto compression.

Pro tip: Shoot early morning after rain. That’s when the fog hangs low, and the greens pop hardest.

3. Arches National Park, Utah

Why spring is great for photography here: Golden light, red rock, and fewer tourists than summer.

Spring is hands-down the best time to photograph Arches. The temperature is reasonable (read: not Mars-level hot), the skies are often crisp, and the crowds haven’t fully descended yet.

From Delicate Arch at sunset to Balanced Rock at blue hour, this place is a playground of natural sculptures. The red sandstone glows in the golden hour, but don’t sleep on the blues and purples of twilight either—those cooler hues add a whole new vibe to these iconic formations.

Pro tip: Get up at 4 AM and shoot stars through the arches. That mix of Milky Way and foreground detail will help you create stunning dark sky landscapes.

4. Olympic National Park, Washington

Why spring is great for photography here: Diversity. Rainforests, alpine peaks, and coastlines—all in one park.

Olympic is like three national parks in one, and spring gives you all of it in high contrast. In the Hoh Rain Forest, new growth explodes in shades of green you didn’t know existed. The moss? Almost electric. Waterfalls gush with snowmelt, and the whole place feels like a scene from Avatar—only it’s real, and it’s waiting for your lens.

Drive a couple hours and you’re on Ruby Beach, photographing sea stacks at sunset with tide pools at your feet. Or head into the mountains for snow-dusted ridges and cloud drama.

Pro tip: Bring a polarizer. It’ll cut the glare off wet foliage and deepen the rainforest greens.

5. Everglades National Park, Florida

Why spring is great for photography here: Wildlife. And drama in the skies.

Spring in the Everglades is peak wildlife season. The dry conditions concentrate animals around water holes, and birds—herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills—are nesting in full view. This is one of the best places in the U.S. for bird photography, hands down.

The light here is different—soft but intense, especially in early morning or late afternoon. And those clouds? They’re not just background fluff. They reflect in the water, adding layers to your compositions.

Pro tip: Use a long lens for wildlife but bring a wide one too. Sunset reflections in the marshes can be surreal.

The post The 5 Best U.S. National Parks for Photography This Spring appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.

Last week, we published my first impressions of the new Nikon Z5 II. This Monday, I spent another day with this camera to refine and confirm my feelings. And yes, I think I’m pretty confident now. You don’t need a deep bank account to photograph wildlife these days, even on full-frame. I’m really happy that this great hobby is becoming more affordable.