March brings the first signs of color back to the parks. From ancient quarries to blooming trails and baseball-season getaways to local events, this issue of American West Monthly celebrates the beauty of springtime in our most beloved landscapes.
Longer days and warmer weather make spring and summer prime time for visiting many national parks across the West. Whether you’re chasing wildflower blooms or planning a summer vacation, our guide will help you prepare for an amazing season of national park adventures. Read on for more inspiration.
The Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics will be held July 14–July 30, 2028, with the Paralympic Games occurring August 15–August 27, 2028. As you’re looking to secure tickets to this historic event, keep in mind that your California vacation, with its warm temperatures and summer weather, is a great excuse to visit some of the Golden State’s beautiful national parks.
Experience the history of the High Plains in a uniquely hands-on way—by hiking in Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument with a ranger and learning how this stone helped people survive, travel, and connect across the region for thousands of years.
Some trails are pure scenery. Others are stories you can walk into—where every bend in the path reveals how people moved through, lived in, and shaped these landscapes long before we arrived. If you’re craving a spring hike with a little extra meaning, these five routes deliver the kind of history you can feel under your boots.
Cactus League Spring Training, held in February and March in Phoenix, Arizona, is an opportunity for Major League Baseball fans to see half of the League’s teams prepare for the season. And it’s no wonder so many teams have chosen Arizona's largest city to train in—Phoenix's spring weather is sunny, warm, and perfect for enjoying the outdoors. It’s also a great time to enjoy the many national parks near Phoenix. Check out our recommendations below.
Whether you’re chasing desert wildflowers or high-country vistas, these national park trails are perfect for spring hiking—each offering a different kind of “wow,” all in landscapes worth protecting.
Love stories come in many forms—some of the best are inspired by the lands that give us so much. This February, connect with landscapes and histories shaped by deep time, brave resilience, and enduring care.
Sir David Attenborough was quoted saying, "If children don't grow up knowing about nature, they won't understand it. And if they don't understand it, they won't protect it.” If our children don’t protect nature, nature will not be there to protect them. In an expanding digital world, how do we engage our children with nature?
Beneath the desert sun of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the smallest creatures do the biggest jobs. Lauren Weidner and her research group at Arizona State University are documenting changes in biodiversity, insect populations, and the balance between native and invasive species.
