10 National Park Adventures For An Active Memorial Day In 2025
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. National parks across America offer incredible opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring natural wonders during this holiday weekend.
I’ve gathered ten exciting national park experiences that will make your 2025 Memorial Day weekend unforgettable.
1. Sunrise Hike at Grand Canyon
Nothing compares to watching the sun paint the ancient canyon walls with golden light. The South Rim’s Rim Trail offers several viewpoints where you can witness this spectacular show without extreme hiking skills.
May temperatures are typically mild, making morning hikes comfortable before the midday heat. Pack a small breakfast and find your spot at Mather or Yavapai Point about 30 minutes before sunrise.
Rangers often lead special Memorial Day weekend programs, including guided geology walks that explain how this massive canyon formed over millions of years.
2. Kayaking Through Everglades Mangroves
Have you ever paddled through mysterious tunnels formed by ancient mangrove trees? The Nine Mile Pond trail offers a peaceful Memorial Day escape into Florida’s wildest ecosystem.
Alligators sun themselves on nearby banks while herons wade through shallow waters around your kayak. May brings lower humidity and fewer insects than summer months, making it an ideal time to explore.
Many outfitters near Flamingo Visitor Center offer kayak rentals and guided tours specifically for the holiday weekend, with early morning trips providing the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
3. Cycling Acadia’s Carriage Roads
Where else can you pedal along 45 miles of car-free gravel paths through pristine forests and past crystal-clear lakes? Acadia’s historic carriage roads, built by John D. Rockefeller Jr., offer cyclists of all abilities a memorable Memorial Day adventure.
Spring wildflowers typically bloom along the routes in late May, adding splashes of color to the already stunning landscape. The Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond loops provide breathtaking views without challenging elevation changes.
Bike rentals are readily available in nearby Bar Harbor, and several local companies offer special Memorial Day weekend guided tours focusing on the park’s unique history.
4. Rock Climbing at Joshua Tree
May delivers perfect temperatures for scaling Joshua Tree’s iconic granite formations before the scorching summer heat arrives. Thousands of established routes cater to climbers of all skill levels, from beginners to experts seeking challenging ascents.
First-timers can book Memorial Day weekend clinics with local guides who provide all necessary equipment and safety instruction. The Hidden Valley area offers popular routes like The Eye and Cyclops that showcase the park’s unique desert landscape.
After climbing, cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for stargazing under some of California’s darkest skies. The park often hosts special astronomy programs during holiday weekends.
5. Whitewater Rafting in Grand Teton
Memorial Day typically marks the peak of spring runoff in Wyoming, creating exhilarating rapids on the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. The snowcapped mountains provide a jaw-dropping backdrop as you navigate the churning waters.
Several sections cater to different experience levels, with the stretch from Pacific Creek to Deadman’s Bar offering exciting Class II-III rapids. Local outfitters in Jackson Hole provide all equipment and experienced guides for half-day or full-day adventures.
Wildlife sightings often include bald eagles, moose, and even bears along the shoreline. Many companies offer special Memorial Day weekend packages with discounted rates.
6. Backpacking Yosemite’s Wilderness
If you’ve dreamed of experiencing Yosemite beyond the crowded valley floor, Memorial Day weekend offers perfect hiking weather. The Pohono Trail provides a challenging but rewarding 13-mile route along the south rim with spectacular views of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Waterfalls reach peak flow in late May, creating dramatic photo opportunities throughout the park. Wilderness permits become available exactly 24 weeks before your trip date, so mark your calendar for early December to secure your Memorial Day adventure.
Bear canisters are required for overnight trips, and rangers offer special holiday weekend programs on wilderness safety and Leave No Trace principles at the Wilderness Center.
7. Mountain Biking in Canyonlands
Utah’s iconic White Rim Trail offers one of America’s most unforgettable mountain biking experiences. The 100-mile loop through Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district typically has ideal riding conditions during Memorial Day weekend – not too hot and not too cold.
Most riders take 3-4 days to complete the loop, camping at designated sites along the way. Dramatic red rock formations, vast canyon views, and minimal light pollution create an otherworldly experience far from holiday crowds.
Permits for camping become available four months in advance and typically sell out quickly for holiday weekends. Several Moab outfitters offer supported trips with shuttle services and gear transport.
8. Tidepooling at Olympic National Park
Memorial Day weekend often coincides with some of the year’s lowest tides along Washington’s rugged coastline. These extreme low tides reveal Olympic National Park’s normally hidden underwater worlds, teeming with colorful sea stars, anemones, and tiny crabs.
Kalaloch and Ruby Beach offer easily accessible tidepools perfect for families with children. Rangers frequently lead special tidepooling programs during the holiday weekend, helping visitors identify marine creatures while explaining conservation efforts.
Check tide charts carefully and plan to arrive about an hour before peak low tide. Wear rubber-soled shoes with good grip, as rocks can be slippery, and bring a waterproof camera to capture close-up images of these fascinating ecosystems.
9. Volcano Hiking at Hawaii Volcanoes
Where else can you walk across landscapes actively being created? Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers the rare opportunity to witness earth’s most primal forces at work while hiking across solidified lava fields and through remarkable lava tubes.
The Kilauea Iki Trail takes you through a rainforest before descending to cross a solidified lava lake from a 1959 eruption. Steam vents and sulfur deposits along the trail serve as reminders of the powerful forces still at work beneath your feet.
May typically brings pleasant temperatures and lower humidity than summer months. Rangers often lead special Memorial Day weekend hikes focusing on Hawaiian cultural connections to the volcanoes.
10. Stargazing at Great Basin
Did you know Great Basin National Park offers some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States? Memorial Day weekend typically brings clear, mild conditions perfect for astronomical observation far from city lights.
The park’s astronomy program reaches its peak during summer months, with rangers often conducting special holiday weekend telescope sessions at the visitor center. The Milky Way stretches dramatically across the sky, with thousands of stars visible to the naked eye.
During daylight hours, explore ancient bristlecone pine groves containing some of Earth’s oldest living organisms. These gnarled trees, some over 4,000 years old, provide fascinating foreground elements for night sky photography.