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#5 on this list
Saguaro National Park
Arizona
Desert bloom begins; pleasant hiking before summer.
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#6 on this list
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina / Tennessee
Spring wildflowers start in the low elevations.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Saguaro National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern Arizona, flanking Tucson east and west | — |
| March Temperatures | Highs around 75°F, lows around 45°F | Valley highs near 60°F; crest lows below freezing |
| Park Acreage | 92,000 acres across two separate districts | — |
| Frontcountry Camping | None inside the park; backcountry only | — |
| Backcountry Permits | Required year-round via Recreation.gov | — |
| Entry Fee | $25 per private vehicle or valid Interagency Pass | Free entry; paid parking tag required |
| Elevation Range | — | 875 to 6,643 feet |
| Land Area | — | Over 522,000 acres |
| Backcountry Rules | — | Permits and designated site reservations required |
| Primary Access Corridors | — | US-441 via Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Saguaro National Park
- Ideal March daytime temperatures hovering comfortably in the 70s
- Spectacular Sonoran Desert wildflower displays following winter rains
- Close proximity to Tucson simplifies dining, lodging, and resupply logistics
- Substantial elevation changes in the east unit provide legitimate alpine wilderness
- Zero frontcountry car camping options anywhere inside park boundaries
- Park is divided into two units separated by an hour-long city drive
- Dense cactus hazards require constant vigilance on rocky singletrack
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Lower valley trails showcase the country's best early-season wildflower blooms
- Thinned deciduous canopy opens wide panoramic views hidden in summer
- Far fewer visitors and vehicle backups compared to peak summer and fall
- High creek levels create dramatic waterfall flow across the park
- Frequent weather closures on high mountain corridors like Newfound Gap Road
- Widespread mud and saturated trails demand technical footwork and gaiters
- Harsh elevation-dependent temperature drops create high hypothermia risks
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