You may be restless and looking for the next spot to explore as you gear up for your spring van travel adventures. That is a good thing since there are ideal places for you to enjoy now before the hot, humid months of summer roll in. Get ready to leave your comfortable winter hideaway, hit the road again, and take advantage of some perfect van spring destinations. From Arizona to D.C. southern California and so much more, enjoy our list of top van destinations for March 2022 below.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Early March is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon for a van and backpacking trip. The temperatures are ideal for hiking. Later in the month, it gets a bit more crowded as those on spring break often head for the canyon. Rafting season begins in March but may still be a little nippy. The North Rim is still closed, but the South Rim is open making it an exceptional destination for solitude. The mule ride to Phantom Ranch is an excellent March activity. Be sure you make reservations in advance. The high temperature at the Phantom Ranch in March is 72 degrees with a low of 47 degrees.
Washington, DC
The Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to run from March 20 to April 15, 2022. The festival has occurred every year since 1927 and is to commemorate the 1912 gift of 3,000 Cherry Blossom trees to Washington D.C. from the mayor of Tokyo. The festival lasts for four weeks and includes more than 50 special events and programs, including parades, art exhibits, pageants, concerts, and fireworks. The festival is the largest springtime event in the country. More than one million people visit every year from all around the world. People travel from far and wide just to witness the pink and white flowers that cover the capital.
The Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico spans the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. You will find peaceful seaside villages or large shops and places to rent water sports equipment. Birdwatching is a popular spring activity in Texas. You will find the Whooping Crane Festival in Port Arkansas and other cities have their own festivals dedicated to their favorite birds. There are approximately 700 species that either reside in Texas or pass through there in the spring. You will see them if you just lounge on a quiet beach with your binoculars.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Spring is the ideal time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The desert temperatures are perfect, and the wildflowers are in bloom from February through April. The Park boasts of having around 750 different plant species and in spring, they all come to life. With the background of the Joshua trees and impressive rock formations, you will find beauty beyond belief.
Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley sits below sea level on the border of California and Nevada. It is known as the lowest point in the world and the hottest. The Park has about 3.4 million miles of acres and acres of mostly desert and a few mountains. With summer temperatures in Death Valley National Park reaching up to 130 degrees, March is a much better time for you to enjoy this National Park when the weather hovers in the high 60s.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
White Sands National Park boasts 275 square miles of powdery, rolling sand. There are a few trails to follow and endless sand hills to climb. You can take a course on dune travel and begin with a five-mile excursion if the hills and the remains of Lake Otero, an ancient body of water that once covered the entire basin. Winter days are balmy, but after dark, temperatures can drop to below freezing. The stars are magnificent. Think about bringing your tripod and a telescope to capture the night sky above the dunes.
Big Bend National Park & Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
The Big Bend is where the Rio Grande makes a turn around the Chisos Mountains on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Big Bend National Park is on 810,000 acres and adjoins Big Bend Ranch State Park. Summer temperatures match those found in Death Valley, making spring the best time to visit the park, with March being the ideal time. The high desert setting has elevations from 2,350 to over 5,000 feet. You can go mountain climbing, find 238 miles of biking and hiking trails, or float down the Rio Grande River. The 315,000-acre State Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park for stargazing.
Scenic Highway 30A, Florida
The 28-mile Scenic Highway 30A winds around the gulf of the Florida panhandle. You can stop along the way and bask on the beach along the emerald-colored water or explore one or all of the 12 quaint local towns along the way. The spring weather makes March an ideal time to take this trip. Summer gets hot and humid but the weather in March in Florida is perfect. Fun fact – The Truman Show was filmed in one of these quaint towns known as Seaside.
Savannah, Georgia
In the summertime, Savannah weather turns the city into a sauna, so it is advisable to visit in the spring. March boasts daytime weather as in the perfect 70s. Perfect weather for exploring the sites of this historical city or for enjoying the beautiful beaches. Flowers are in bloom, there are music festivals and art walks. For the top 10 things to do in Savannah in the springtime, click here.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a desert vacation of hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, swimming, white water paddling, and more. All with the amazing red rock formations as a backdrop to your daily activities. The formations are a series of amphitheaters carved into the edge of a high plateau.
Spring is a perfect season to start your van life adventures. If you’re looking for the ideal camper van for your lifestyle, check out our inventory here.
