Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park in April
You’ll find a variety of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park in April like hiking, biking, scenic drives, and photography to explore the unique landscape filled with colorful hoodoos!
The weather at Bryce Canyon in April can still be unpredictable. Be prepared with rain and/or snow gear in case a storm rolls through so you can still enjoy the outdoor activities at the park.
There are a number of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park in April for all interests! Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and biking. Photographers will capture amazing landscape photos. Others will experience the park on scenic drives, camping, or stargazing.
Located in the southwest corner of Utah, Bryce Canyon showcases a unique landscape filled with colorful rock structures called ‘hoodoos’. Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan your April vacation: things to do, what to pack, where to stay, services available, weather conditions and more!
We live only a few hours away from Bryce Canyon and have visited during all four seasons. The tips we share of things to do at the park are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of April!
Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the temperatures and weather for the time you’ll visit so you can enjoy the outdoor activities you want to do! Use our Bryce Canyon Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in April! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Bryce Canyon National Park
Take a visual tour through Bryce Canyon National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park in April
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its crimson-colored hoodoos, or spire-shaped rock formations. Here’s a list of our favorite Bryce Canyon spring activities to enjoy during the month of April.
If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon National Park with kids, there are fun way to get them excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Bryce Canyon Coloring Page
- Bryce Canyon National Park Facts
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
Visitor Center and Ranger-Led Programs in April at Bryce Canyon
We recommend you stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to find out the latest road conditions, hiking trail conditions, and talk to the ranger to see if they have any tips for things to do while visiting.
It’s also good to ask about the weather forecast and what ranger-led programs at Bryce Canyon are happening during your stay.
If you are traveling with kids you will want to grab Junior Ranger booklets.
Kids, and adults, will enjoy collecting stamps in their National Park Passport book! Passport booklets and stamp sets are “usually” available at the park visitor centers, but we recommend you get the passport book before the trip, just in case!! We’ve seen sad kiddos when a visitor center is out of passport books. Rangers can stamp a piece of paper, but it’s not just the same experience!
Scenic Drive in April at Bryce Canyon
The Bryce Canyon scenic drive offers views of hoodoos, arches and windows at various viewpoints and overlooks.
OUR BIG TIP: start by driving to the end of the road at Rainbow Point then working your way back to the amphitheater. This way all the Bryce Canyon must see viewpoints are on the right so it’s easy to pull in and out of each parking lot.
You’ll find the best Bryce Canyon views and photo spots along the scenic drive! In April the road could close past the amphitheater due to snow. But there are still many overlooks to see and photograph the stunning views in the amphitheater area!
Check out the Bryce Canyon GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. We highly recommend this audio tour app!!
Photography in April at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon sunrise photography is an amazing time to catch the glow and reflected light on the hoodoos. Keep in mind that as the sun rises higher in the sky, the landscape become washed out.
Watch for reflected light on the hoodoos, fins, windows and trees in the canyon. Be creative with composition by taking pictures through rock holes, tunnels, windows and between cliffs. Unusually shaped frames can add drama to the shot.
Long shadows are cast into the canyon beginning late afternoon as the sun sets and light is only apparent on the tops of the hoodoos. Concentrate on any side-lighting of the hoodoos that aren’t in shadow.
If there are clouds in the sky, they may bounce light into the canyon to help reduce the shadows. Otherwise, the big vistas provide wonderful telephoto shots from any viewpoint in the amphitheater during sunset.
If you want detailed tips and best times to take pictures at each viewpoint, take a look at our Bryce Canyon Photography Guide!
Stargazing in April at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is a magical destination for stargazing at night. With its clear skies and minimal light pollution, this park offers some of the best views of the night sky in the entire world.
The slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” encourages visiting at night to simply Look up! On a clear night, the sky is literally filled with stars. Be sure to schedule one night to enjoy the night sky at Bryce Canyon!
In April the milky way is visible from 1:00 am to 4:45 am. If you’ll be doing astrophotography, be sure to use a headlamp with a red light. The red light minimizes the disruption of night vision and allows you and other photographers around you to see their surroundings while preserving the sensitivity of their eyes to low-light conditions.
Hiking in April at Bryce Canyon
You’ll find easy, moderate, and strenuous Bryce Canyon spring hikes to accommodate all levels of hikers!
If a storm rolls through, you may find closed trails due to unsafe conditions. The trails in April may be muddy, snowy or icy so check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions before setting out on any hike in April.
The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop will be closed in April, but the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop remains open. The Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden trail is great for a down-and-back hiking experience.
Some easy hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park include Sunset to Sunrise, Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop, and Mossy Cave.
Biking in April at Bryce Canyon
From Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point, this 5 mile section of road is available for biking at Bryce Canyon. The elevation gain is 746 going north to south. You can also take the park shuttle to Inspiration Point then ride back going downhill.
All viewpoints, the Lodge, Visitor Center and Shuttle Station have bike racks so you can stop at various places in the park to explore the area.
There’s also an 18-mile Shared-Use Path connecting Red Canyon with Inspiration Point. Pedestrians, leashed pets, cyclists, skaters, longboards, non-motorized scooters and wheelchairs can use this path.
You can rent bikes in Bryce Canyon City.
Guided Tours in April at Bryce Canyon
Because Bryce Canyon has a high-elevation climate, weather conditions can be extremely variable throughout spring. Many Bryce Canyon Tours require good weather, and April is an “iffy” time of year.
If the weather cooperates for your April trip, viewing Bryce Canyon on horseback is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! There are two guided trail ride options at Bryce Canyon: 1.5 to 2-hour ride or a 3-hour complete tour of the canyon.
Here are a few other tours to consider:
- Guided Scenic Tour of Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Private Guided Hike and Picnic
- One Hour Bryce Canyon ATV Tour
Camping in April at Bryce Canyon
There are two campgrounds for Bryce Canyon National Park camping inside the park, but only one is open in April. North Campground is first-come, first-served October 16th through May 26th.
You can also find some other camping options near Bryce Canyon:
- RV Parks near Bryce Canyon National Park
- Boondocking Near Bryce Canyon
- Glamping Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Lodging in April Near Bryce Canyon
If camping isn’t your thing, there are a variety of options so you can find the best place to stay for your travel style and budget.
Tips for Planning a Bryce Canyon Vacation in April
Bryce Canyon is a fun spring break location in Utah because it won’t be as crowded as the other warmer areas in the state. Due to the high elevation at Bryce Canyon, the weather can be unpredictable with the possibility of snow. Most people opt for warmer spring break spots, so planning an April trip to Bryce Canyon can be a good time to avoid crowds!
Bryce Canyon is open 24/7 all 365 days of the year. In April the Bryce Canyon Lodge and General Store open again and the Bryce Canyon shuttle begins running every day. The free shuttle buses bring visitors to the Bryce Amphitheater area of the park. Riding the shuttle is not mandatory.
Depending on snow levels, Fairyland Point and Paria View could still be closed in April to vehicles, but remain open for anyone who wants to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski in those areas.
If it snows in April, the park could close the road beyond mile marker 3 so plows can clear snow from the higher elevations along the southern scenic drive. The road closure typically last a day or so, depending on the severity of the snowstorm.
They always plow the first three miles of the main road first. This includes the Bryce Amphitheater area: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.
April Weather at Bryce Canyon
The Bryce Canyon National Park weather in April can change at any time so it’s important to be prepared for cold and snow. The highs are usually in the mid 50s and the lows are close to 30.
You’ll probably still want cold weather clothing for the cold mornings and evenings:
- Waterproof hiking shoes
- Darn Tough hiking socks
- Rain jacket
- Insulated jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Refillable water bottle
- Hydration pack
You’ll experience a dry desert environment o be sure to also pack and use lip balm and lotion as well!
Things To Do Near Bryce Canyon in April
- Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bryce Canyon to Zion
- Zion National Park in April
- Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Capitol Reef National Park in April
- Lower Calf Creek Falls Hiking Guide
Check Amazon for: Bryce Canyon Guides and Maps
