Most overlanders hit the road in June or July when the weather’s reliable and the kids are out of school. Smart overlanders hit the road in May. While everyone else is still planning their summer trips, you’re already out there watching wolves hunt in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, scrambling up red rock formations before the Utah desert turns into an oven, and finding dispersed campsites that’ll be impossible to snag once peak season hits.
After visiting 32 of our 63 national parks, I’ve learned that timing isn’t just about weather—it’s about finding the sweet spot where natural beauty peaks while crowds stay manageable. May delivers both. Waterfalls are thundering from snowmelt, wildflowers are blooming, wildlife is active, and you can still find solitude in places that’ll be packed solid by August.
These ten parks represent the absolute best national parks to visit in May for overlanders. Each one rewards early-season visitors with experiences that simply aren’t available any other time of year, plus access to dispersed camping that’ll make you feel like you’ve discovered your own private slice of wilderness.
Yosemite National Park, California
Carved by glaciers and time itself, Yosemite spans 750,000 acres of the Sierra Nevada, making it larger than Rhode Island. Established in 1864 as a state park and later becoming our third national park in 1890, Yosemite is home to some of the world’s most recognizable granite formations—El Capitan, Half Dome, and the cathedral spires that rise nearly a mile above the valley floor. Located in east-central California about four hours from San Francisco, the park attracts over 4 million visitors annually, but most never venture beyond the famous 7-mile-long Yosemite Valley that represents less than 1% of the park’s total area.
What draws overlanders here isn’t just the iconic scenery—it’s the incredible diversity. You can stand on the valley floor at 4,000 feet surrounded by waterfalls, then drive up to Glacier Point at 7,200 feet for views that’ll make you question reality. The park contains five of the world’s ten tallest waterfalls, over 750 miles of trails, and elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet.
Why Visit in May
May in Yosemite is pure theater. I’ve watched Yosemite Falls thunder with such force that you can feel the mist from half a mile away, and I’ve seen Bridalveil Fall create rainbows that last for hours. The dogwoods are blooming on the valley floor, painting white brushstrokes against the granite walls, while the higher elevations still wear their winter coats.
Glacier Point Road opens right around this time—sometimes mid-May, sometimes later depending on snow—giving you those postcard views without the summer parking nightmares. The weather swings from shorts-and-t-shirt warm during the day to pull-on-your-fleece cool at night, which means perfect hiking conditions and even better campfire weather.
Best Overlanding Routes
The classic approach is Highway 120 from the west, but if you really want to feel like you’re entering something special, take Highway 140 through Mariposa. The road winds along the Merced River, and you’ll catch glimpses of the valley’s granite walls long before you reach the entrance station. For those coming from Southern California, Highway 41 through Oakhurst offers stunning views as you climb toward Wawona, though watch your rig’s temperature gauge on the grades.
If Tioga Pass (Highway 120 from the east) is open—and that’s a big if in May—it’s hands-down the most spectacular entry into any national park in America. When it does open in late May or early June, the snowbanks can still tower over vehicles, creating a tunnel effect that looks otherworldly. But check conditions obsessively; this road doesn’t mess around and can close without warning even late in the season.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
You can’t dispersed camp inside Yosemite, but Sierra National Forest just outside the south entrance is where the smart overlanders head. I recommend camping at Goat Meadow—it’s maybe ten minutes from the park gate, with level sites that can handle bigger rigs and enough space that you won’t be playing bumper cars with your neighbors. The sites fill up on weekends, so aim for weekdays if you can swing it.
Coming from the east? Rattlesnake Canyon on BLM land near the Tioga Pass approach is worth the rougher access road. You’ll need decent clearance, but the payoff is Sierra Nevada views that’ll make you forget why you ever lived in a city. No water, no facilities, just you and some of the best stargazing in California. Both spots allow 14-day stays, but pack everything in and pack everything out—this isn’t the place to get sloppy with your Leave No Trace ethics.
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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
America’s first national park, established in 1872, Yellowstone sprawls across 2.2 million acres—roughly the size of Connecticut—spanning three states with most of its territory in northwest Wyoming. Sitting atop one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems, the park contains over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including approximately 500 geysers. That’s more than half of all the geysers on Earth. Beyond the famous Old Faithful, Yellowstone harbors the largest high-altitude lake in North America, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its 1,200-foot-deep gorge, and some of the continent’s most pristine wilderness.
For overlanders, Yellowstone represents the ultimate American road trip destination. The park’s Grand Loop Road connects eight figure-eight routes totaling 142 miles, accessing five distinct regions each with its own character. From the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley to the alien landscape of the thermal features, this is a park that demands multiple visits to truly understand—and rewards those who venture beyond the boardwalks.
Why Visit in May
There’s something primal about being in Yellowstone when the park is waking up from winter. You can sit in your camp chair at dawn in Lamar Valley, watching bison emerge from the mist like prehistoric ghosts, while somewhere in the distance a wolf pack announces the new day.
The geothermal features put on a better show in cool weather—the contrast between hot springs and chilly air creates steam displays that look like special effects. Plus, you might catch bison calves taking their first wobbly steps, and if you’re really lucky, a grizzly fresh out of hibernation. The crowds are manageable, the wildlife is active, and every sunrise feels like a private performance.
Best Overlanding Routes
The Grand Loop Road is obvious but essential—it connects all the major thermal features and gives you the classic Yellowstone experience. But don’t just cruise through; take the time to explore the side roads. Firehole Lake Drive is a one-way detour that most people skip, which means better wildlife viewing and fewer photo bombers in your shots.
For a different perspective, the Beartooth Highway (US 212) from the northeast entrance is one of America’s most scenic drives when it’s open. Snow usually keeps it closed until late May or June, but when it opens, you’re in for switchbacks, alpine lakes, and views that’ll ruin you for other mountain roads. Just remember—this is serious high-altitude driving, so check your rig’s performance and keep an eye on weather conditions.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Yellowstone’s official campgrounds book up faster than concert tickets, but the real magic happens outside the park boundaries anyway. West of the park, Howard Creek Road and Red Rock Pass Road offer dispersed camping on a mix of BLM and Targhee National Forest land. These spots put you 20-30 minutes from the west entrance, close enough for easy park access but far enough to escape the chaos.
My personal favorite is along the Gallatin River north of the park. The riverside sites on Gallatin National Forest land are first-come, first-served, and I’ve never had trouble finding a spot even on busy weekends. The sound of the river covers up any highway noise, and you’re perfectly positioned for early morning wildlife drives through the northern range. Just remember—this is bear country, so secure your food properly, keep your campsite clean and make sure you have bear spray. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a curious grizzly rearranging your gear.
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Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Rising from the Great Plains like a moonscape carved by wind and water, Badlands National Park protects 244,000 acres of layered rock formations, mixed-grass prairie, and some of the richest fossil beds on Earth. Established as a national monument in 1939 and upgraded to national park status in 1978, the Badlands showcase 75 million years of geologic history in rock layers that tell the story of ancient seas, tropical forests, and saber-toothed cats. Located in southwestern South Dakota about 75 miles east of Rapid City, the park sits on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, with the Oglala Lakota Nation co-managing the South Unit.
What makes the Badlands special for overlanders is the sheer otherworldliness of the landscape. These aren’t mountains—they’re the result of erosion eating away at ancient sediments, creating a maze of canyons, ridges, and towers that change color throughout the day. The park contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds, where scientists have discovered everything from tiny horses to massive rhinoceros-like creatures that roamed here millions of years ago.
Why Visit in May
The Badlands in May are what I imagine Mars would look like if it had wildflowers. The prairie is painted with purple pasque flowers and yellow sunflowers, softening the harsh beauty of those jagged formations. The light here is something else entirely—golden hour starts at about 4 PM and doesn’t quit until well after sunset, turning the layered rock into something that belongs in an art gallery.
I’ve seen bighorn sheep picking their way along impossible ledges and watched coyotes hunting in the grasslands while the sun painted everything in shades of amber and rust. The weather is perfect for hiking, cool enough in the morning to explore without sweating through your shirt, warm enough by afternoon to justify a cold beer at camp.
Best Overlanding Routes
The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) is the main show, but don’t just drive it once and call it good. I like to hit it at different times of day—early morning for wildlife, late afternoon for photography, and at least once at night if there’s a moon. The road between the Pinnacles and Prairie Dog Town gives you the classic Badlands experience, with pullouts every few miles for photos that’ll make your friends back home jealous.
For something different, take the gravel Sage Creek Rim Road. It’s rougher than the main loop but less crowded, and it puts you into prime bison habitat. I’ve had herds cross right in front of my truck, close enough to hear them breathing. The road connects back to the main loop, so you can make it part of a larger circuit.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Buffalo Gap National Grassland is the holy grail of Badlands dispersed camping. It’s just outside the Pinnacles entrance, and once you find a spot, you’ll understand why overlanders get evangelical about this place. Miles of rolling grassland, huge skies, and some of the darkest nights you’ll find anywhere in the Midwest. There are no amenities whatsoever—no water, no toilets, no trash collection—so you’d better be comfortable being completely self-sufficient.
The camping is free for up to 14 days, and the sites are wherever you can safely pull off and set up. I usually aim for higher ground for better views and drainage, but watch out for prairie dog colonies—they don’t appreciate having their neighborhoods turned into campsites. The wind never stops out here, so stake everything down twice and bring extra tent stakes.
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Arches National Park, Utah
Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches—more than anywhere else on Earth—Arches National Park preserves 76,679 acres of high desert landscape in southeastern Utah, just outside the town of Moab. Established as a national monument in 1929 and designated a national park in 1971, Arches sits on an underground salt bed laid down 300 million years ago. Over time, this salt shifted and buckled the rock layers above, creating the perfect conditions for wind and water to carve the sandstone into impossible formations.
The park’s elevation ranges from 4,085 to 5,653 feet, placing it in the high desert where temperatures can swing dramatically between day and night even in the same season. What makes Arches irresistible to overlanders isn’t just the famous Delicate Arch you’ve seen on Utah license plates—it’s the way the entire landscape seems designed by some cosmic architect with a sense of humor and an eye for the dramatic.
Why Visit in May
May is the sweet spot in the Utah desert—after the winter cold but before the summer heat turns hiking into a survival exercise. I’ve watched the sun rise through Delicate Arch when the air was still cool enough to wear a jacket, then shed layers as the day warmed up.
The sandstone seems to glow from within during golden hour, and you can actually hike the longer trails without feeling like you’re going to melt into the slickrock. Plus, the desert wildflowers are usually blooming—Indian paintbrush, penstemon, and desert lupine adding splashes of color to all that red rock. The park gets busy, but nothing like the summer madness, so you can still find moments of solitude if you’re willing to wander off the main trails.
Best Overlanding Routes
The main park road is the obvious choice, but timing matters. Hit the viewpoints and major arches early in the morning or late in the day—midday light flattens everything out and makes even the most spectacular formations look ordinary in photos. I like to drive the full length of the park first thing in the morning to get my bearings, then go back and spend time at the spots that caught my eye.
For overlanders with high-clearance vehicles, the four-wheel-drive roads are where the real adventure begins. The Salt Valley Road and Klondike Bluffs Road aren’t technically difficult, but they’ll shake your rig apart if you take them too fast. The payoff is access to arches and viewpoints that 90% of visitors never see, plus better chances for wildlife spotting in the early morning and evening.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
The BLM land around Arches is an overlander’s paradise, but it’s not for beginners. South Klondike Bluffs requires high clearance and doesn’t offer any amenities—no water, no shade, just slickrock and sky. In May, the nights are still cool enough to sleep comfortably, but come summer, you’d better have serious air conditioning or a death wish.
For something further out, try the dirt roads beyond Hamburger Rock Campground. The sites require some off-road navigation skills, but most overlanders can handle it with decent clearance and some patience. You’re still completely self-sufficient out here—pack all your water and plan your meals around fire restrictions, which are common even in May. The maximum stay is 14 days, but honestly, after a week of nothing but red rock and silence, you’ll be ready for some human contact anyway.
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Joshua Tree National Park, California
Where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet in southeastern California, Joshua Tree National Park protects 790,636 acres of rugged rock formations and two distinct desert ecosystems. Established as a national monument in 1936 and redesignated as a national park in 1994, the park is named for the twisted, alien-looking Joshua trees that thrive in the higher, cooler Mojave Desert section. These aren’t actually trees at all—they’re the world’s largest yucca plants, some living over 1,000 years and growing barely an inch per year.
Located about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree sits at the transition zone between two great American deserts. The western and northern sections feature the signature Joshua trees, massive granite rock formations perfect for rock climbing, and elevations reaching 5,814 feet. The eastern and southern sections drop into the Colorado Desert, where you’ll find chollas, ocotillos, and the famous Cholla Cactus Garden. For overlanders, this means two completely different experiences within the same park boundary.
Why Visit in May
May is your last shot at seeing Joshua Tree before the desert heat makes daytime hiking a masochistic exercise. In late May, the Joshua trees are usually still blooming—those weird, wonderful cream-colored flowers that look like something Dr. Seuss dreamed up. The rock formations are perfect for scrambling and bouldering, and if you’re into photography, the contrast between the twisted Joshua trees and the massive granite formations is pure gold. Nights are still cool enough for campfires, and the Milky Way puts on a show that’ll make you question why you live anywhere with light pollution. Plus, the Cholla Cactus Garden is spectacular in May when some of the chollas are still flowering.
Best Overlanding Routes
The park has two main entrance roads, and I recommend using both. Enter through the west entrance (Joshua Tree) and exit through the south (Cottonwood), or vice versa. This gives you the full desert experience—from the higher Mojave Desert with its Joshua trees to the lower Colorado Desert with its cholla forests and ocotillos.
The main park roads are all paved and accessible to any vehicle, but the real adventure starts when you venture onto the backcountry roads. The Geology Tour Road is partly paved, partly gravel, and gives you access to some of the park’s best geological features without requiring serious four-wheel-drive skills. Queen Valley and Jumbo Rocks areas have rough dirt roads that connect the campgrounds and put you right into the heart of the rock formations.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
The BLM land west and south of Joshua Tree is where serious boondockers go to disappear. I’m talking about camping where your nearest neighbor might be a mile away and your biggest decision is which direction to watch the sunset. There’s absolutely nothing out here—no water, no facilities, no cell service in many spots—just wide-open Mojave Desert and night skies that’ll spoil you for city living.
Some of the sites require decent off-road skills to access, and others you can reach with any high-clearance vehicle. Scout your spot in daylight because navigating by headlamp in unfamiliar desert terrain is a recipe for disaster. Fire restrictions are almost always in effect, so plan your cooking accordingly. The solitude is addictive—just you, the desert, and silence so deep you can hear your own heartbeat.
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Zion National Park, Utah
Carved by the Virgin River over millions of years, Zion National Park protects 147,000 acres of red and white Navajo Sandstone cliffs, hanging gardens, and slot canyons in southwestern Utah. Established as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909 and renamed Zion National Park in 1919, the park showcases some of the most dramatic vertical relief anywhere in North America. The main canyon walls rise over 2,000 feet from the river bottom, creating a narrow corridor that feels almost cathedral-like in its grandeur.
Located near the town of Springdale, about 160 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Zion sits at the intersection of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions. This convergence creates incredible biodiversity—from desert species at lower elevations to mountain species in the high country. The park’s elevation ranges from 3,666 feet to 8,726 feet, and for overlanders, this means dramatically different experiences depending on which section you explore.
Why Visit in May
Zion in May is hiking perfection. The Narrows are flowing but not raging, making it possible to wade upstream without getting swept away. Angels Landing is accessible without summer’s crushing heat, though you’ll need permits now. The cottonwoods along the Virgin River are leafing out, creating shade pockets that feel like air conditioning after hours on sun-baked trails. Hiking the Emerald Pools trail in May morning light makes the waterfalls look like liquid crystal, and scrambling up to hidden viewpoints where the only sounds are your own breathing and the distant rush of the river far below makes the trek worthwhile.
Best Overlanding Routes
The main Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only during peak season, but you can still drive the stunning Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (Highway 9) with its switchbacks and tunnel carved through solid rock. If you’re hauling a longer rig, check the tunnel restrictions—larger RVs need an escort through the narrow, historic tunnel.
For a different perspective on Zion, take the Kolob Canyons Road in the northwest section of the park. It’s a five-mile dead-end drive that most tourists skip, but the red rock views rival anything in the main canyon. The Kolob Terrace Road offers access to higher elevations and different ecosystems, though check conditions in May since snow can still close the upper sections.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Finding dispersed camping near Zion takes some work because the park is surrounded by private land and small towns, but the BLM areas are worth seeking out. North Creek Road puts you on BLM land with dispersed sites, though you’ll need high clearance for the better spots. The road gets progressively rougher as you head away from town, but that means fewer people and better solitude.
Kolob Terrace Road also offers some dispersed camping opportunities on Forest Service land, though sites are limited and fill up quickly on weekends. These spots put you at higher elevation with cooler temperatures and sometimes even remnant snow patches in May. Stock up on supplies in Hurricane or Springdale before heading out because once you’re up there, you’re committed to being self-sufficient. The tradeoff is some of the best dark-sky viewing in southern Utah and wake-up views that’ll make you forget about everything you left behind in civilization.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
Perched on Maine’s rugged Atlantic coast, Acadia National Park encompasses 47,000 acres across Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and several smaller islands. Established as Lafayette National Park in 1916—making it the first national park east of the Mississippi—and renamed Acadia in 1929, the park protects a landscape shaped by glaciers, tides, and granite. Unlike most national parks that were carved from existing public lands, Acadia was largely created through private donations, with wealthy families like the Rockefellers contributing both land and the famous carriage roads that wind through the park.
Mount Desert Island, where most of the park is located, rises dramatically from the sea, with Cadillac Mountain reaching 1,530 feet—the highest point on the East Coast north of Rio de Janeiro. The park sits about 160 miles northeast of Portland, and its location where northern and temperate climates meet creates an unusual mix of ecosystems. You’ll find everything from spruce-fir forests to coastal heath, making it one of the most biologically diverse parks in the system.
Why Visit in May
Acadia in May is New England at its most seductive. The famous Bar Harbor crowds haven’t descended yet, the Park Loop Road is fully open, and Cadillac Mountain offers sunrise views without the summer shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. I’ve watched fog roll in and out of the rocky coastline while sitting at Thunder Hole, listening to waves crash into granite and breathing air so clean it almost hurts your lungs after months of city living. The forest is alive with bird song, and if you time it right, you might catch the last of the spring wildflowers before the full green-up of summer.
Best Overlanding Routes
The Park Loop Road is the main attraction—a 27-mile loop that hits all the coastal highlights. But don’t just drive it once and check it off your list. I like to break it into sections and hit them at different times of day. Jordan Pond and the Bubbles look completely different in morning light versus late afternoon. Cadillac Summit Road is worth the drive for sunrise, though you’ll need to get there early even in May to beat the other early risers.
For a different Acadia experience, explore the Schoodic Peninsula section of the park. It’s a 45-minute drive from Bar Harbor, but the coastal road here is spectacular and far less crowded. The six-mile one-way loop drive offers ocean views, tide pools, and rocky headlands without the tour bus crowds.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Here’s the tough truth about Acadia: dispersed camping is basically non-existent near the park. Mount Desert Island is heavily developed, and what isn’t developed is protected. Your best bet for budget camping is to look beyond the immediate area. Lamoine State Park is about 20 minutes from the park entrance and offers wooded sites with water access, though it’s not exactly dispersed camping. However, the last time I stayed there was in October of 2024 and I had the place to myself.
For true boondocking, you’ll need to get creative. Some overlanders use the Walmart in Ellsworth for overnight parking—it’s not scenic, but it’s free and safe. Others head north to areas around Camden Hills State Park, about an hour away, where you can find more traditional Forest Service dispersed camping. Apps like iOverlander and Campendium can help you scout lesser-known spots, but honestly, Acadia is one of those parks where you might need to bite the bullet and pay for a proper campground to fully enjoy the experience. Blackwoods Campground would be my first choice. If you prefer less crowds, then stay at Schoodic Woods Campground.
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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the world’s seven natural wonders, Grand Canyon National Park protects 1,217,262 acres of layered red rock revealing nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history. Established as a national park in 1919, the Grand Canyon stretches 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep. Located in northwestern Arizona, the park is divided into two distinct areas: the South Rim, open year-round and accessible from Flagstaff, and the North Rim, which sits 1,000 feet higher and is typically open only from mid-May through October due to snow.
What makes the Grand Canyon extraordinary for overlanders isn’t just its size—though standing on the rim does make you feel wonderfully insignificant. It’s the way the canyon creates its own weather systems, the dramatic difference between the two rims, and the fact that you can drive from desert scrub to alpine forest in less than an hour. The Colorado River, which carved this masterpiece, flows 5,000 feet below the rim, creating one of the most dramatic elevation changes accessible by road in North America.
Why Visit in May
May is when the Grand Canyon reveals its dual personality. The South Rim is comfortable for hiking, with wildflowers blooming along the rim trail and temperatures perfect for those long walks between viewpoints. But the real magic happens when the North Rim opens, usually around mid-May. I’ve stood at Bright Angel Point when I was literally the only person there, looking across one of the world’s most famous views in complete solitude. The canyon’s colors are at their most vivid in spring light—the red rocks, the green river far below, the layered geology telling million-year-old stories in stone.
Best Overlanding Routes
Desert View Drive (Highway 64) connects the South Entrance to the East Entrance and hits some of the most spectacular viewpoints. But don’t just drive through—stop at every overlook because each one offers a completely different perspective on the canyon. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles during peak season, but in May you might catch it during the shoulder period when you can still drive it.
For the adventurous, the drive to the North Rim via Highway 67 through the Kaibab Plateau is one of America’s most underrated scenic drives. You’ll climb from desert through pinyon-juniper woodland into ponderosa pine forest, gaining nearly 3,000 feet in elevation. The road usually opens in mid-May, but check conditions because snow can close it without warning even late in the season.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Kaibab National Forest surrounds both rims and offers some of the best dispersed camping in the Southwest. On the South Rim side, Forest Road 310 is legendary among overlanders—beautiful wooded sites about 12 miles east of the main visitor area. The sites are free, scattered through ponderosa pine forest, and you’ll usually have decent cell service if you need to stay connected to the outside world.
North Rim dispersed camping is even better, though the season is shorter. The forest roads off Highway 67 offer dozens of sites scattered through aspen and pine forest. I’ve camped there in late May when the aspens were just leafing out, creating a green canopy that filtered the light into something almost mystical. You’re at 8,000+ feet elevation, so nights can still be cold even in May—pack accordingly. Always check fire restrictions, and bring plenty of water since reliable sources are scarce in this high desert forest.
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Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Stretching along the crest of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park protects 197,438 acres of rolling peaks, waterfalls, and deciduous forests just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. Established in 1935, the park represents one of the great conservation success stories in American history—much of the land was once farmland and clear-cut forest that has since returned to wilderness. The park’s narrow, 105-mile length follows the ridge line from Front Royal in the north to Waynesboro in the south, with elevations ranging from 540 feet to 4,051 feet at Hawksbill Summit.
What makes Shenandoah special for overlanders is Skyline Drive, the 105-mile scenic highway that runs the length of the park with 75 overlooks offering views across the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east. Built during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Skyline Drive connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway at its southern end, creating one of America’s most scenic driving experiences. The park contains over 500 miles of trails, 70 waterfalls, and some of the most accessible wilderness in the eastern United States.
Why Visit in May
The Blue Ridge Mountains in May are what inspired about half the folk songs ever written in America. Skyline Drive winds through tunnel after tunnel of green—redbud and dogwood blooming white and pink against the emerging green of oak and maple. The waterfalls are at their fullest from spring snowmelt and rain, where the water is so clear you can count rocks on the bottom 20 feet down. The mountains roll away in all directions like a green ocean, and if you time it right, you might catch the last of the spring wildflowers before the full canopy closes in.
Best Overlanding Routes
Skyline Drive is the obvious main attraction—105 miles of mountain road with 75 overlooks. But resist the urge to drive it straight through. I like to break it into sections and really explore each area. The northern section from Front Royal to Thornton Gap offers some of the best waterfall hikes. The central section around Big Meadows has the best wildlife viewing. The southern section toward Waynesboro has some of the most spectacular ridge-running views.
The speed limit is 35 mph for good reason—this isn’t a highway, it’s a scenic experience. Pull over at the overlooks, get out of your vehicle, and actually look at what you came to see. Some of the best views require short walks from the parking areas, and the payoff is worth the effort.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Shenandoah itself doesn’t allow dispersed camping, but the surrounding George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are an overlander’s dream. These forests are laced with forest roads that lead to free, scattered campsites throughout the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains.
I’ve found great spots off Forest Road 42 east of Luray, where you can camp in hardwood forest within sound of mountain streams. The sites west of the park toward West Virginia offer even more solitude, though you’ll trade some convenience for that isolation. Most forest roads are accessible to any high-clearance vehicle, and the “camp anywhere unless posted otherwise” rule applies throughout the national forests. It’s a great way to experience the real Appalachian wilderness without fighting crowds for reserved sites.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado
Rising 750 feet from the floor of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects 107,342 acres of the tallest sand dunes in North America. Established as a national monument in 1932 and redesignated as a national park in 2004, the park sits in south-central Colorado about 35 miles northeast of Alamosa. The dunes were formed over hundreds of thousands of years as winds carried sand from the San Juan Mountains across the valley, where it was trapped against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
What makes this place magical for overlanders is the surreal juxtaposition: massive sand dunes that belong in the Sahara, backed by snow-capped 14,000-foot peaks, with Medano Creek flowing at the base creating a seasonal “beach” in the high desert. The park’s elevation ranges from 7,500 feet at the visitor center to over 13,000 feet in the preserve’s mountain wilderness. It’s one of the few places on Earth where you can sandboard down dunes in the morning and hike to alpine lakes in the afternoon.
Why Visit in May
There’s something surreal about the Great Sand Dunes in May. Medano Creek is flowing from snowmelt, creating a shallow “beach” at the base of 750-foot sand dunes with the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains towering behind everything. I’ve watched kids build sandcastles while their parents soaked their feet in mountain runoff, and I’ve climbed those dunes at sunrise when the sand was still cool and the light painted everything in shades of gold and purple. The contrast is almost too much to process—sand, water, mountains, and desert all in one impossible view.
Best Overlanding Routes
The main park road is short and paved, but it puts you right at the base of the dunes with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as your backdrop. For overlanders with high-clearance vehicles, the Medano Pass Primitive Road offers access to the park’s backcountry. This is serious four-wheel-drive terrain—sand, rocks, stream crossings, and steep grades—but it connects to the upper valley and offers camping opportunities most visitors never see.
The San Luis Valley surrounding the park is worth exploring too. Highway 160 west toward Del Norte offers huge sky views and often spectacular sunsets behind the San Juan Mountains. Highway 17 north toward Alamosa runs through some of Colorado’s most productive farmland with the dunes and mountains always visible on the horizon.
Best Dispersed Camping Options
Lake Como Road is the classic spot—flat, open sites accessible to most vehicles for the first mile or so. Go farther and you’ll need higher clearance, but you’ll also find more solitude and better views of the dunes and mountains. The camping is free for up to 14 days, and you’re close enough to the park for easy access but far enough to escape any crowds.
For a more adventurous option, try the Medano Pass Primitive Road campsites inside the park. You’ll need a true 4WD vehicle and some serious off-road skills, but the payoff is camping in alpine meadows with the dunes spread out below you and 14,000-foot peaks all around. San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area also offers some dispersed-style camping with a bit more infrastructure if you want something between full boondocking and developed campgrounds. The whole area offers huge skies, minimal light pollution, and the kind of silence that makes city living seem like a distant memory.
Need the lowdown on Great Sand Dunes National Park?
Don’t head out without reading my Overlander’s Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park first.
Final Thoughts
After all these years and all these miles, May remains my favorite month for exploring America’s national parks. The crowds are manageable, the weather is cooperative, and every sunset feels like a private showing. Whether you’re watching mist rise from Yosemite’s waterfalls, listening to wolves howl in Yellowstone, or falling asleep to absolute silence in the Utah desert, you’ll find that May offers something most park visitors never experience: space to breathe and time to really see what you came for.
Remember that most parks don’t allow dispersed camping within their boundaries, but the surrounding public lands—National Forests, BLM areas, and state lands—offer countless opportunities for those willing to be self-sufficient and responsible. Pack smart, travel light, follow Leave No Trace principles religiously, and respect the places that give us so much in return.
I’ll see you out there, somewhere between the last of winter and the first of summer, where the road always leads to something worth remembering.
