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Mt. Rainier, Washington -- Best Wildflowers Spot

"April showers bring May flowers" -- and the best place to see wildflowers blooming in a floral rainbow of breathtaking color is Mt. Rainier in Washington state. As spring approaches, fields full of wildflowers decorate meadows and hillside like bouquets given to loved one. A recommend drive to see the flowers is take Rte. 410 to Chinook Pass. Common flowers in bloom include avalanche lilies, white spires of beargrass flowers, lupine, paintbrush and more. If you visit the Hob and Quinault rainforests, you will feast your eyes on moss-draped trees. Plan to spend some quality time in the Mt. Rainier National Park and tour the rainforest and natural beauty of the area. This vacations offer families time to hike and explore the forest and glaciers. Check out the National Park Service website for when the park officially opens for summer. 

Waikamoi -- Best Hawaiian Rainforest

Want to visit a rainforest without leaving the U.S. The Waikamoi rainforest located on Maui is considered one of the best rainforests in the country. If you've ever wanted to hike and tour an authentic rainforest without having to travel to South America, do consider booking a hiking tour through Waikiamoi where you can even camp at the Hosmer Campground in the Haleakala National Park. The campground is located near the Natura Conservancy where you can hike the 1.25-mile loop trail and explore the natural setting of a natural Hawaiian rainforest. The air is cool and clean and some parts of Wakamoi are at 6,000 feet above sea level. Waikamoi is home to eight endangered birds, including the Crested Honey Creeper. Animal and bird watchers alike will enjoy getting a glimpse at nature's natural wonders up close and personal. If you do not want to camp, you can always stay in one of the resorts, hotels or condos in and around Maui. 

Mojave National Preserve

In keeping with ideas and places to stay dry and warm, another great place to visit especially in the spring when the wild flowers blossom is the Mojave National Preserve located in Southern California. This 1.6 million acre park is comprised of sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers in springtime. The preserve is located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and many visitors come to experience the serenity and solitude. It has been suggested that when the wind blows across the sand dunes, you can hear "singing" made from the sweeping, haunting sounds. Wild fluctuations between day and night temperatures suggest you wear layers to be easily peeled on or off during your visit. The Mojave National Preserve is just another reason California as a state has so much diversity in geography and opportunities to experience nature at her finest.

Death Valley National Park

Did you know that Death Valley, California is one of the driest places in the United States? Right now California is dry overall, but when the rain starts and you want to escape the damp, take a trip down south to visit Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is one of the hottest, driest superlative deserts. Much like other national parks such as Yosemite, the park houses some amazing natural sights including streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and three-million acres of wilderness. Visitors can join a park ranger on guided tours through historic mining sites, canyons or salt flats. Visitors can also venture out in groups to places like Scotty's Castle or stop in at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to find out about other park features. You can find lodging near the four park entrances at the east, west and Furnace Creek or Scotty Castle entrances. The best and coolest times of year to visit are in the winter and early spring.