Things To Do At Zion National Park in April

Visiting Zion National Park in April will be crowded since it’s a popular spring break destination. But it’s one of the best times to enjoy a variety of things to do at Zion National Park in April like hiking, biking, scenic drives, camping, stargazing, and guided tours!

Zion is the most-visited Utah National Park located in the southwest corner of the state. In April the shuttle runs every day and that’s the only way to access Zion Canyon so keep that in mind when planning the activities you wan to do!

Living only a few hours away from Zion National Park, we’ve had the opportunity to visit many times during all seasons! This list of things to do at Zion National Park is specifically for the month of April. The tips and activities we share are based on our experiences visiting the park and area throughout the years!

Use this Zion National Park travel guide to plan your trip: what to pack, where to stay, and things to do at Zion in April. Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the temperatures and weather so you’re able to enjoy the outdoor activities you want to do!

Use our Zion National Park 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 Zion National Park

Take a visual tour through Zion National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Things to Do At Zion National Park in April

Zion National Park mesmerizes visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, where the majestic Virgin River has carved towering cliffs and narrow canyons over countless centuries.

Here’s a list of fun Zion National Park spring activities you can do during the month of April!

Here are some fun National Park activities to get the family excited before, during and after the trip:

• Zion National Park Coloring Page
• Zion National Park Facts
• National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
• National Park Activity Books for Kids

Visitor Centers and Ranger-Led Programs in April at Zion

We recommend stopping at the Visitor Center to get the latest updates on shuttles, permits, and hiking trail conditions. They are open every day in April. Check the Zion website for the updated hours of operation.

Zion Ranger Programs: The only ranger-led program available in April is the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Ranger Talk that highlights information about the landscapes, plants, animals, and history that make the park special.

If you’ll be visiting Zion National Park with kids, definitely check out the Junior Ranger Program. Activity booklets are available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Human History Museum.

All ages 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 Drives in April at Zion National Park

All four Zion National Park scenic drives are breathtaking! Each drive showcases a different part of the park, so we highly recommend exploring as many as you can!

Zion Canyon: This road is NOT open to cars during the month of April. The only way to access Zion Canyon is by using the Zion National Park shuttle. On the 6.5 mile drive, you will see the most incredible rock formations.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: Highway 8 and Tunnel is a must-drive that goes through an incredible 1.1 mile tunnel! In April you could encounter rain. If it’s raining, look for waterfalls!! We like to stop at the pullouts to take photos, hike and look for bighorn sheep.

Kolob Terrace: Located west of Springdale in the town of Virgin, you’ll see a different side of Zion National Park. In April you may not be able to access the higher elevations depending on snow levels. But you can enjoy the views before hitting that section.

Kolob Canyons: If you don’t mind driving 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, you can drive the Kolob Canyons section of the park.

We REALLY like the Zion GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you!

Hiking in April at Zion National Park

You can’t beat spring hiking at Zion National Park in April when the weather is just right! But trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides or other unsafe conditions.

Also, between mid-March and late May, The Narrows and The Subway trails close when the water levels are too high due to the spring runoff. Check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions before setting out on any hike in April.

Here’s a handy list of Zion hikes without the shuttle if you want to avoid the crowds. We always recommend hitting the park and trails first thing in the morning, especially Canyon Overlook!

It’s important to note that the Zion landscape is always changing which means trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides and other unsafe conditions. We recommend you check with the Visitor Center for updated trail conditions before setting out on any hike!

Zion is one of eight US National Parks that require reservations. There are year-round hiking permits required at Zion:

• 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

Canyoneering in April at Zion National Park

The Subway and The Narrows are two famous trails for canyoneering at Zion. Canyoneering trails involve route finding, rappelling, hiking, and swimming!

Some of these technical hikes require a permit, and all overnight trips in these areas also require a permit. If you want to give it a try, check out these Zion National Park canyoneering tours!

BUT in April, high water levels could close the canyoneering trails so be sure to check with the Visitor Center to get the most updated information!

Photography in April at Zion National Park

The best times for Zion National Park photography are sunrise and sunset. The colors are vibrant and the light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that cannot be missed.

You won’t actually see the sun rising or setting due to the high stone walls in the park. You’ll be photographing the reflected glow onto the red rocks. Here are our favorite spots for taking pictures at Zion:

• Sunrise at Zion National Park: History Museum back patio, Canyon Overlook, Three Patriarchs
• Sunset at Zion National Park: Pa’rus Trail with The Watchman, Kolob Terrace

If it happens to rain in April, look for pop-up waterfalls, especially along Highway 9! Also keep your eyes out for the bighorn sheep that hang out in the Highway 9 area.

Check out our Zion National Park Photography Guide with the best photo spots for sunrise, sunset and night photography!

Stargazing in April at Zion National Park

Remember to take time to enjoy the park after dark! The vast and dark sky in Zion National Park is something you have to see to believe!

If you’re there during a new moon (no moon in the sky) you might experience your first encounter with the Milky Way! In April the Milky Way is visible from 1:00 am to 4:45 am.

When stargazing at Zion, be sure to carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp with a red light. You don’t want to shine a white light into someone’s eyes!

We also like to photograph light trails at night at Zion. It’s important at night to never stop or stand in the roadway. Always use pullouts and parking lots. This is a good safety tip in daylight or at night!

Biking in April at Zion National Park

One of the FUN ways to access Zion Canyon is by bike! Bicycling at Zion is a terrific way to get around the park. You can rent bicycles in Springdale. Be aware of the rules for riding your bike at Zion:

• Bicycling is permitted on the park roadways and the Pa’rus Trail. The areas closed to bikes: all other park trails, off-trail routes, and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. 
• Bikes must be ridden single file on the right side of the park roads and Pa’rus Trail. Due to the narrow park roads, there is a limit of 6 bicycles or less for every cycling group.
• Wear your helmet.

Guided Tours in April at Zion National Park

There are a number of Zion National Park tours available to fit your needs. Enjoy half-day or full-day guided hikes, canyoneering, photography, and off-road experiences!

Here’s a list of the Zion tours we recommend for an April vacation:

• Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic
• East Zion Half-Day Canyoneering Tour
• VIP Guided Small-Group Tour with Photography in Zion National Park
• Sunset Horseback Ride at East Zion
• Zion Jeep (Morning) Premium Tour
• UTV Morning Tour at Zion National Park

Camping in April at Zion National Park

There are three campgrounds for camping in Zion National Park. Any time of year, camping at Zion is only permitted in the campground designated campsites. You cannot camp in pullouts or parking lots.

In April there are only two campgrounds open at Zion: Watchman and Sunset Campground. Lava Point in the Kolob Terrace area isn’t open until May due to it’s high elevation.

There are many options for camping near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon that are located between the two parks, which helps cut driving time if you plan to visit both parks!

If you can’t find a camping spot in Zion, or if camping isn’t your thing, there is a lodge and cabins where you can stay inside. There are even more lodging options near the park:

• Zion National Park Lodging
• RV parks near Zion National Park
• Glamping Near Zion National Park
• Cabins Near Zion National Park
• Hotels Near Zion National Park

Planning a Trip to Zion National Park in April

Zion National Park is a popular destination for spring break in Utah so expect crowds. We recommend getting into the park EARLY or even later in the afternoon.

Does the Zion Shuttle Run in April?

Yes, the shuttle runs every day and that’s the only way to access Zion Canyon. Be sure to check the shuttle schedule for exact operation hours.

There might be limited parking at Zion National Park in the town of Springdale so plan to start your day early to get a parking spot in town and a spot on the shuttle.

Weather at Zion in April

April Zion National Park weather is picture-perfect. The days and nights are just right this time of year at Zion with highs in the mid-70s and the lows are in the mid-40s.

The mornings and evening will be cool so you’ll want layers for all-day activities. It’s important to stay hydrated and if you’re not used to a dry environment you’ll find in Utah, keep lip balm and lotion with you!!

• Fleece jacket
• Hydration pack
• Refillable water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Lotion
• Travel snacks

Things To Do Near Zion National Park in April

• Things to Do Near Zion National Park
• Grafton Ghost Town
• Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon
• Bryce Canyon in April 
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Snow Canyon State Park
• Kanab Photography

BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON