As the snow melts and schools no longer have delays, it becomes obvious that spring is right around the corner. It's a time of year that many look forward to. Nature is bursting with life, plants are in bloom, and everyone becomes a little more eager to get outdoors and explore. So before you book a trip to Miami for spring break, why not consider taking friends or family on the first trip of the year to a national park? Here's what should be at the top of your list.

Whether you're headed to the West Coast to see the big, blue Pacific, wanting to take in the fall foliage in New England, or traveling through the Midwest to get a sense of rural America, there's a must-see road along the way.

Summer may be winding down, but it’s not too late to plan a trip to visit a national park.

Famously called "America's best idea" by the novelist and historian Wallace Stegner, the national park system offers families a wonderfully affordable way to visit America's most cherished and beautiful landscapes, view wildlife in their natural habitat, learn about geological and cultural history, and appreciate the great outdoors.

Touching thousands of miles of hiking trails, passing through dozens of state parks and national forests, and connecting hundreds of scenic overlooks, America’s longest linear park is nearly impossible to explore in its entirety.