10 great places to spring out of a winter rut

— -- It's no joke: Now that spring has officially sprung, there's no better time to head outside for some natural activity. Keith Bellows, editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler and author of National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks, gives USA TODAY's Rebecca Heslin his foolproof destinations to enjoy the best of the new season.

Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado

"Backed by the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this vast ocean of dunes are a trekker's delight, especially in spring before sand temperatures skyrocket," Bellows says. The park is home to America's tallest dunes, some towering up to 750 feet into the sky. Visitors can explore the dunes by hiking through them, sliding down them and riding along them with the help of a "dunes wheelchair." nps.gov/grsa, 719-378-6399

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkTennessee and North Carolina

Bellows prefers visiting this southern spot in spring. "Now's the time to visit America's busiest park — before the summer hordes arrive and the fall leaf peepers crowd the roads," Bellows says. "For my money, the smells and scenics of spring display the park at its prime." As an added bonus, the park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year so there's plenty to do. nps.gov/grsm, 865-436-1200

Glacier Bay National Park Alaska

As the name insinuates, glaciers are prevalent in the bay as ice from the surrounding mountains slides down to the water. But it's not always freezing here. "In May, the days are at their sunniest and you can cruise by no fewer than nine calving glaciers in the bay, home to humpback whales, moose, and black and brown bears," Bellows says. Access to the park is only available by boat or sea plane from Juneau. nps.gov/glba, 907-697-2230

Shenandoah National Park Virginia

"Spring arrives first in the park valleys and then moves upward — the result is an ever-expanding carpet of wildflowers," Bellows says. Take the 105-mile Skyline Drive to take in the scenery, or rent a canoe and raft through the mountains down the Shenandoah River. The park is 75 miles from Washington, D.C., so pack a one-two punch into your vacation and see the sights in one trip. nps.gov/shen, 540-999-3500

Virgin Islands National Park U.S. Virgin Islands

Catch the Caribbean between high and hurricane season as prices drop in mid-April. The island of St. John has hills, valleys and beaches, but the best is under water: The park includes more than 5,000 acres of coral seascapes. "There are travel bargains galore in this haven of powdery sand, coral reefs and more than 800 subtropical plant species," Bellows says. nps.gov/viis, 340-776-6201

Redwood National Park California

"In spring, the towering redwoods — the world's tallest living things — overlook musky groves that blaze with flowering rhododendrons and bristle with migrating birds," Bellows says. Roosevelt elk freely roam the prairies and the endangered marbled murrelets fly across the treetops. nps.gov/redw, 707-464-6101

Haleakala National Park Hawaii

Desolate volcanic landscapes, subtropical rainforests and seemingly endless miles of hiking trails provide visitors with a unique tour of Hawaii's ecosystems. "Take the 38-mile drive from sea level to the 10,000-foot summit of Maui's volcanic Haleakala," Bellows suggests. The route "boasts among the world's steepest gradients and offers stunning views of ocean and lush rainforests." nps.gov/hale, 808-572-4400

Capitol Reef National Park Utah

Don't let the name of this landlocked park fool you. Bellows explains the name represents how the "hundreds of miles of ridges surf the desert." Geologists go gaga over this park and it's no secret why: a nearly 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust, called the Waterpocket Fold. Bellows suggests visiting in late afternoon for "a spectacular show of light and dark as the sun wanes. It's so remote that the nearest stoplight is 78 miles away." nps.gov/care, 435-425-3791

Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico

Visitors trek through the Chihuahuan Desert and the Guadalupe Mountains to get to the 113 caves hidden in this park. "Will Rogers called it the 'Grand Canyon with a roof on it,' " Bellows says. Once inside the park, visitors can opt to take the self-guided tour or one of the guided tours. These vary in difficulty from very open areas to crawling through narrow passageways, and "the bats take wing in April," he says. You've been warned. nps.gov/cave, 575-785-2232

Voyageurs National ParkMinnesota

"More than 30 lakes and 900 islands pepper this Minnesota waterscape," Bellows says. "Kayaks and canoes are preferred transportation once the winter ice breaks in spring." In the forests surrounding the water, visitors can see some of the oldest rock on earth on the shoreline. Stay alert, though, as wolves and black bears call this park home. nps.gov/voya, 218-283-6600