If you will be traveling with small children, please see our Kid's Page . If your time in the parks will be short, please see If You Only Have a Day. Spring, Summer, and Fall Activities Spring brings flowering redbud, buckeye, and laurel to the foothills. Waterfalls and rivers are at their highest levels. Wispy fog often rolls through the forest canopy at this time.
Summer is the busiest time of year in the parks for both people and animals.
You'll find high-country meadows brimming with vibrant wildflowers throughout the season. Fall is equally colorful, with oak, dogwood, aspen, and other trees turning gold, scarlet, and amber. The days are still warm, but nights are cool - ideal for hiking and backpacking. Fall is typically a quiet time, yet one of the most beautiful for a visit. Park Programs NPS naturalists offer talks, slide shows, films, guided nature and history walks, and evening campfire programs for adults and children.