Places to Visit in Utah in April

Visiting Utah in April

There are a lot of places to go for spring break in Utah. April weather is unpredictable so it’s important to know the expected weather and temperatures you may encounter!

Utah weather in April will vary between Northern and Southern Utah. The temperatures in the higher elevations will be cooler than the lower elevations by 10 to 20 degrees.

Utah temperatures in April:

• Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 62 / lows 42 degrees F
• Southern Utah (St. George): highs 75 / lows 46 degrees F

In April it’s usually snow-free around the state, but storms can roll through any time bringing a small amount of snow. The higher elevations will still be cold with snow, like Bryce Canyon.

However, keep in mind that the state’s high altitude and diverse geography can sometimes bring unexpected weather changes. It’s not uncommon to experience a sunny morning, followed by an afternoon rain (or snow) shower.

When visiting Utah in April, you’ll want layers. We recommend being prepared for moderate daytime temperatures to cold morning and evening temperatures. Be sure to have sun protection and stay hydrated. If you’re not used to a dry environment, pack lotion and lip balm!:

• Fleece jacket
• Insulated jacket
• Winter hat
• Winter gloves
• Sunscreen
• Refillable water bottle
• Lotion
• Lip balm

Places to Visit in Utah in April

Check out this list of amazing places to go and things to do when visiting Utah in spring, specifically in the month of April.

We asked our travel friends to share their tips and experiences for visiting all these Utah destinations in April. This list includes must-see landmarks, activities, and travel tips to add to your Utah Bucket List for a trip in April.

There is one National Park Free Entrance Day in April, usually the first day of National Park Week. This free entrance day applies to ALL National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee!

NOTE: Arches and Zion are two of the nine US National Parks requiring reservations during the month of April.

Arches Timed Entry: You must have a timed entry reservation to enter the park from April 1 to October 31. You can enter Arches National Park before 7am and after 4pm without an advance reservation.

Zion Hiking Permits: There are three year-round permits required for hiking these trails:

• Angels Landing hiking permit for the chains section – you can hike to Scouts Landing and back without a permit.
• Left Fork North Creek Subway
• Full 16-mile Narrows hike

Antelope Island State Park in April

If it’s a beautiful sunny April day in Salt Lake City, it’s the perfect day to make the 45-minute drive north to Antelope Island State Park. This Utah state park completely covers Antelope Island, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. You’ll drive a 7-mile causeway across the lake to reach the park.

Besides the pronghorn antelope that are native to the island, there are a variety of animals to see at this Utah State Park. The park is home to a herd of 500 – 750 bison as well as mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, porcupines, owls, hawks, and falcons!

While the weather will likely be too chilly to take advantage of the park’s main attraction – a wide sand beach – April’s an especially fortuitous time to visit. That’s because April temps which range from just above freezing to the low 50s mean the brine flies and biting gnats aren’t out yet.

April’s also the perfect time to check out Antelope Island’s network of hiking trails. Enjoy great views of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains on the main land or hike to homestead and ranch ruins. Don’t forget to spend a little time at the visitor center to learn about the ecology of the Great Salt Lake. (Recommended by Ada, Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: A Travel Blog)

Arches National Park in April

When’s the best time to Visit Arches National Park? Spring is one of the best seasons to visit this Southwest gem, specifically the month of April!

While rare, winter does bring the occasional snowfall, which potentially lingers into March when overnight temperatures still cling near freezing. By April, the average daytime temperatures hover in the low 70 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the perfect balmy weather for exploring outdoors. 

April nights are just as welcoming, with temperatures in the 40 degrees Fahrenheit, avoiding the potential for snow. By May, daytime temperatures rise significantly with the arrival of summer, so April really is the sweet spot for perfect Arches National Park weather.  

Summer is the busiest season in Arches, so another advantage to visiting in April is avoiding the crowds that start arriving in May. That means having more of the best things in Arches to yourself! 

In April, your Arches National Park itinerary can include hiking the top trails, including Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and Park Avenue. You can also take a scenic drive along the main park road, stopping at viewpoints like the Courthouse Towers and Fiery Furnace, and make a stop at the Visitor Center to learn more about the fascinating geology, chat with rangers, and view educational exhibits. Top off your April visit with a night under the stars at the Devil’s Garden Campground. (Recommended by Kristen, Yonderlust Ramblings)

Arches National Park Lodging & Tours

• Arches National Park Lodging
• Arches National Park Camping
• Arches National Park Tours

Buckskin Gulch in April

Visiting the desert southwest in April is one of the most magical things to do during spring. Temperatures are wonderful; days are getting longer, and crowds are still thin. Combined, it’s the perfect recipe to visit places like Buckskin Gulch! 

This southern Utah gem is one of the longest slot canyons in the world, but unless you plan on backpacking it, you’ll only hike a portion of the way. But that’s okay. Hiking just a few miles into it is all you’ll need to experience one of the most stunning natural landscapes America offers. 

Buckskin Gulch is between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ, and requires a short drive on a dirt road to Wire Pass Trailhead. From here, pay your day permit fee and begin hiking in. The trail is mostly flat, which makes it suitable for people of all skills and ages. 

One thing to note: Please check the weather forecast before hiking in. Rain can create deadly flash flood scenarios. Even rain upstream 50 miles can cause fatal events. (Recommended by  Alec, Explore With Alec.

Page Lodging & Tours

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Bryce Canyon National Park in April

Bryce Canyon is an amazing national park that is filled with unique, beautiful hoodoos, which are rock spires that stick out from the canyon floor. Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world!

Planning a Bryce Canyon vacation in April is a great time to visit thanks to mild daytime highs between 55°-65 that are perfect for hiking in, amenities re-opening for summer, and low crowds before summer tourism ramps up in May.

Keep in mind that if you visit in early spring, occasional winter storms could bring snowy (but doable) hikes. April snow accumulation in Bryce Canyon is 8 inches on average so pack microspikes if you plan on hiking or join in on one of their free ranger-led snowshoe hikes. The snow adds to even more beautiful views in the canyon so don’t fear, but be sure to check current conditions before you go.

Bryce is best enjoyed by descending into the hoodoos. Queens Garden to Navajo Loop is a great beginner and family friendly hike while more advanced hikers can’t miss the magical Fairyland Loop.

Not up for hiking? Check out Bryce Canyon must see viewpoints: Paria, Inspiration, Bryce Point, Sunrise, or Sunset offer panoramic views into the amphitheater. (Recommended by Gabi, Nomads With A Purpose)

Bryce Canyon Lodging & Tours

• Bryce Canyon National Park Lodging
• Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
• Bryce Canyon National Park Tours

Capitol Reef National Park in April

Capitol Reef National Park is one of the best places to visit in Utah in April. With only two days of rain on average and temperatures typically in the 60s during the day and upper 30s at night, it is cool enough to still enjoy hiking without the colder temperatures of winter.

Capitol Reef is beautiful weather you drive through or stop to explore. Cathedral Road on the Cathedral Valley Loop is a fun unpaved road out to Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon. Glass Mountain is also next to them and sparkles on a sunny day.

If you want another off road adventure, don’t miss the colorful Bentonite Hills just outside the park boundary.

As far as hikes, one of the best and easiest hikes to access in the park is Hickman Bridge. Cohab Canyon and Cassidy Arch are two other hikes worth trying if you have the time. (Recommended by Christine, Live Love Run Travel)

Capitol Reef Lodging & Tours

• Capitol Reef National Park Lodging
• Capitol Reef National Park Camping
• Capitol Reef National Park Tours

Kanab in April

The small town of Kanab is located in southeastern Utah near the Arizona border. The area is surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and vistas of sagebrush. In April you’ll find so many things to see, do, and photograph in the Kanab area!

We highly recommend seeing Peekaboo Slot Canyon – it’s one of the easiest slot canyons to access and walk through in Southern Utah. You’ll need the right vehicle to drive 3.5 miles in very deep sand to get the the entrance. We booked a tour with Dreamland Safari to explore Peekaboo Slot Canyon for our photography group. Tripods are allowed here and you can photograph the canyon at your own pace.

We also did an overnight White Pocket tour with Dreamland Safari and LOVED every minute of it. You’ll need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to navigate the deep, sandy roads. If there’s been any rain, the road to White Pocket can be impassable due to the clay!! We recommend you stop by the Kanab Visitor Center or the BLM office to get detailed instructions and the latest road conditions.

Once you’re at the White Pocket formations you freely walk around, explore, and take pictures in solitude. It’s a must-see destination for photographers! In April you could get lucky to have water pools after rain to capture amazing reflection photos! (Recommended by Dave & Jamie, Photo Jeepers)

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Meadow Hot Spring in April

If you’re looking for a unique place to visit in Utah in the spring, head to Meadow Hot Springs, a series of geothermally warmed pools in the middle of a bucolic cow pasture with stunning mountains in the background.

There are three pools here, with the hottest and the deepest pool being the closest to the parking area. But the further back you go, the more likely you’ll be to snag the pools to yourself. 

Meadow Hot Springs is on private property, so please be sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles. The owners of the property do not regularly maintain the dirt road leading to the springs, so it can get pretty potholed and bumpy.

Accordingly, you may have to walk approximately 0.5 miles to reach the springs, especially amidst the rain—and the resulting mud—in the springtime. But the effort will be worth it—come at night so that you can enjoy the steamy water of the springs in contrast to the crisp springtime air. 

The springs are located in Meadow, a teeny town in central Utah. Luckily, it’s the perfect detour if you’re on a road trip to Utah’s national parks from Salt Lake City, only adding about 45 minutes to your journey if you’re kicking off your trip with Zion or Bryce. (Recommended by Jessica, Uprooted Traveler)

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Monument Valley in April

If you’re looking for somewhere amazing in Utah to visit in April then look no further than Monument Valley. At the border of Utah and Arizona, this incredible landscape of red earth and massive red sandstone buttes was made famous by old Western movies from the 1960s and 1970s. These days, visitors flock to Monument Valley to see the majestic landscape in the beckoning sunlight. 

April brings comfortable temperatures to the southern Utah desert, with daily highs reaching about 69 degrees and overnight lows dipping to the mid 40s. It’s perfect weather to explore the area on foot before the brutal summer heat kicks in.

There’s no defined boundary of Monument Valley. It’s widely considered the vast region of desert with sandstone rock buttes in southern Utah and northern Arizona. The best way to experience the region is to drive the roads and hit some hiking trails. 

The crown jewel of Monument Valley is Monument Valley Tribal Park, which is actually just across the border in Arizona and is managed by Navajo Nation. The park protects some of the most spectacular rock formations in Monument Valley.

Along the Utah scenic drive to Monument Valley, don’t forget to also stop by Forrest Gump Point for a photo at the iconic spot in the road where Forrest stopped his epic 3-year long run across America! (Recommended by Chris, Around the World with Me)

Natural Bridges National Monument in April

April is one of the best times to visit Natural Bridges National Monument located in southeastern Utah. The temperatures are “just right” for exploring this area during the daytime hours.

Founded in 1908, it preserves three natural sandstone bridges formed by water erosion over millions of years. You can view the three bridges from the overlooks or hike down the canyon to see them from below!

• Sipapu Bridge: spans 268 feet and stands 220 feet high, making it the largest and most famous of the three bridges.
• Kachina Bridge: or the “middle bridge”, spans 204 feet and stands 210 feet high
• Owachomo Bridge: spans 180 feet and stands 106 feet high

The park is relatively small and easy to see all three bridges in about 1 hour. If you’re really short on time, plan to drive and visit the overlooks only. There are short walks to a viewpoint to see each of the three bridges from above. Plan about 10 minutes to walk and see each viewpoint. The Horse Collar Ruin can be viewed from an overlook as well.

For a half-day we recommend adding in the short hike to Owachomo Bridge that adds about 1 more hour. To explore the park thoroughly and hike some of the longer trails you’ll need a full day.

While you’re in the area, check out Bears Ears National Monument that includes archaeological sites, breathtaking canyons, ancient cliff dwellings, rock art, and burial grounds. (Recommended by Dave & Jamie, Photo Jeepers)

Where to Stay in Blanding

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Park City in April

Park City seems to be the perfect Utah mountain town to visit in April. Visiting Park City in winter is great, but it can also be a lot with people coming from all over the world to enjoy the snow and lights. This time of year you’ll experience increased prices and extended wait times.

In April, as the the weather begins to warm, the area is less popular for spring skiing. There is usually still enough decent snow to hit the slopes. And you don’t have to deal with all the crowds which makes the prices much more affordable.

With the warmer weather also comes the outdoor concert season. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some live music, beverages, and dancing. Get all dressed up in your best flannel and boots to enjoy the day.

You can enjoy the indoor activities of Woodward Park City if you think it is still a little cold to be outside too long. In addition you can learn about the history at the local museum, stroll through one of the local art galleries, or just enjoy some apres-ski.

Visiting Park City in April is a great opportunity to get away and breathe in the fresh air. By the time you leave, you will be rejuvenated and ready to take on regular life again. (Recommended by Nick, The World Overload)

Park City Lodging & Tours

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Salt Lake City in April

One of the best Utah vacation spots in April is Salt Lake City. The daytime temperatures typically range from around 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit which is perfect for pleasant weather.

If you are road-tripping around Utah or just transiting through SLC, it is always a good idea to spend one day in Salt Lake City. The Utah State Capitol sits on a hilltop overlooking the city. The building is as beautiful as the Washington DC capitol from inside and outside. In the spring, enjoy the cherry blossoms on the grounds!

Check out Temple Square to see stunning gardens, historic buildings, and complimentary guided tours. Salt Lake City is the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Memory Grove Park showcases beautiful outdoor gardens, which are perfect to visit during spring. If you are looking for hiking and outdoor activities, the Ensign Peak trail is a good option for watching the sunset and the best views of Salt Lake City.

The city is named after the Great Salt Lake and it is famous for its salt flats. Visit Bonneville Salt Flats as a day trip from Salt Lake City. It is known for the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway where you can drive your car on Salt Flats! However, April brings occasional rain, so check the weather before visiting the salt flats in April. (Recommended by Mayuri, Fernwehrahee Blog)

Salt Lake City Lodging & Tours

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St. George in April

Located in the southwest corner of Utah, in the spring St. George bursts to life with a warm, moderate climate that is perfect for outdoor adventures. April daytime temperatures range comfortably between the mid-60s to 80s Fahrenheit.

St. George is the perfect home base to explore Utah National and State Parks! Zion National Park spring activities include scenic drives, hiking, biking, canyoneering, stargazing, and landscape photography.

At Snow Canyon State Park, you can enjoy over 38 miles of trails that offer both leisurely walks and challenging treks, each providing panoramic views. Or ride ebikes along trails lined with red rock cliffs and black lava tubes.

Try wake surfing, paddleboarding, cliff jumping, or even off-roading on the sand dunes at Sand Hollow State Park! In April the water might still be a bit too cold for swimming, but it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy all the other activities at this park! (Recommended by Dave & Jamie, Photo Jeepers)

St. George Lodging & Tours

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Valley of the Gods in April

Valley of the Gods is a Utah scenic drive near Mexican Hat in Southeastern Utah. Have your camera ready to take Valley of the Gods photos as you drive through a sandstone valley with towering red rock formations.

The landscape at Valley of the Gods is very similar to Monument Valley, without the tribal restrictions or crowds. Monument Valley is situated within the Navajo Nation territory and requires visitors to be accompanied by a Navajo guide for exploration and a tribal permit for backcountry hiking.

Valley of the Gods resides on BLM land, providing open access to hiking, backpacking, and camping without any tribal limitations. The scenic drive at Valley of the Gods runs 17 miles along dirt and gravel road winding through a maze of towering pinnacles. It’s an isolated area so be prepared to be self-sufficient and carry emergency supplies. The road is recommended for high clearance vehicles.

In April, if there’s been any rain, you may need a 4WD vehicle, In dry weather we’ve seen family cars make the drive, but it will be a rough drive!

We also recommend visiting Goosenecks State Park while you’re in the area. This Utah State Park is home to the San Juan River, which has slowly eroded this incredible canyon over the last 300 million years into the natural wonder it is today. The river sits 1,000 feet below the plateau, making it a dramatic sight to see the carved canyons that look like goose necks. (Recommended by Dave & Jamie, Photo Jeepers)

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Yant Flat in April

Yant Flat, also known as Candy Cliffs, stands among one of the less explored but undeniably captivating attractions in Utah. In fact, it was one of our favorite hidden gems during our 2 week Southern Utah road trip. 

Located around a 45 minute drive away from the towns of St George or Hurricane, it can be easily included in your itinerary when visiting Zion National Park. What makes Yant Flat stand out are the colorful bubbly rock formations that create a surreal and alien-like landscape. 

Both April and October are ideal times to visit due to relatively mild temperatures around 75 degrees F and fewer crowds. To access Yant Flat, you’ll have to navigate a narrow mountain cliff road by car and subsequently embark on a one-hour hiking journey. The hike is fairly flat and on sandy road so it is not strenuous. 

Once you reach the main viewpoint, we recommend that you freely roam the area as there are several sections to explore. We would allocate at least an hour at the viewpoint. Yant Flat is a stunning sunset photo spot in Utah when the sun’s warm orange tones cast a truly magical ambiance. In total, you should factor in 3-4 hours from the arrival at the Yant Flat hiking trailhead, after you park your car. (Recommended by Ryan, WaylessTravelers)

Zion National Park in April

Springdale, Utah is an amazing destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers wanting to visit Zion National Park.

Getting to Zion can be an adventure. St. George Regional is the closest airport, but I personally enjoy flying into Vegas then taking a road trip with my girls to take in the increasingly impressive views over a couple of hours. Either way, you’ll want to rent a car.

The Zion National Park weather in April around Springdale is mild and warm during the day so it’s quite comfortable to explore the park’s 16 trails, and chilly at night, which is perfect for sitting around the bonfire!

I highly recommend also enjoying some of the Zion National Park tours, especially exploring one of the trails by horseback through Canyon Trail Rides.

In my opinion, the most unique lodging options are in nearby Virgin, Utah. You’ll find fun ways for glamping Near Zion National Park in a tiny house, yurt, Airstream or even a converted western wagon! No matter what, you’ll be surrounded by stunning mountain views. (Recommended by Jazzmine, Jet Set Jazzmine)

Zion National Park Lodging & Tours

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Utah Travel Guides & Maps

Utah Bucket List

Check out even more fun Utah Bucket List ideas for your April vacation. Be sure to grab the free printable that includes ideas for things to see, do and taste all around the state! Click the image below!