Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in April
We’ve put together a guide of what it’s like to visit Utah in April, specifically the National Parks.
You’ll find many places to visit in Utah in the month of April to add to your bucket list.
This guide includes where to go, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay for a Utah vacation in April.
April weather and temperatures will vary between Northern and Southern Utah. The higher elevations may still have snow and will be cooler than the lower elevations by 10 to 20 degrees.
There are a lot of Utah spring break ideas like exploring the National and State Parks.
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A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks
Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Northern and Southern Utah in April
There are two main regions in Utah: Northern Utah and Southern Utah.
Northern Utah in April:
Salt Lake City, Park City, and Provo are the three main cities in Northern Utah. You’ll find main streets with shopping, restaurants, nightlife, festivals, historic buildings and performing arts.
In April, the higher elevations in the mountains will still have snow so you might be able to snowshoe, snow ski, or snowmobile. The lower elevations might get a snow storm here or there, and the hiking trails may still be wet and muddy.
Southern Utah in April:
It’s important to note that the drive from Northern to Southern Utah means passing through rural areas with small towns, limited services, and spotty cell service.
Check to see where the Utah vacation spots are located around the state because a drive from Salt Lake City to any of the National Parks in the south can take 4 to 5 hours.
All 5 Utah National Parks are located in Central and Southern Utah. They are popular destinations for Spring Break in Utah so be prepared for crowds!
Depending on the where you go, you may still need winter clothing. At the least, be prepared with waterproof layers and waterproof hiking shoes for the rain and snow in April
Before heading out to explore any National or Utah State Park, check with the visitor center for updated conditions.
Utah Weather in April
Average April temperature in Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 62 / lows 42 degrees F. The average April precipitation in the Northern part of Utah:
- Salt Lake City – 10 days / 2.2 inches
- Logan – 10 days / 2.3 inches
- Provo – 10 days / 1.9 inches
- Alta – 12 days / 4.8 inches of snow
- Park City – 10 days / 2.3 inches of snow
Average April temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 75 / lows 46 degrees F. The average April precipitation in the Southern part of Utah:
- Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) – 5 days / 0.7 inches
- Bryce Canyon – 6 days / 0.8 inches
- Capitol Reef – 5 days / 0.5 inches
- Cedar City – 6 days / 1.2 inches
- Zion – 6 days / 1.2 inches
- St. George – 3 days / 0.7 inch
It’s good to be prepared for the expected weather forecast and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in April so we’ve written detailed guides for each National Park in Utah:
- Arches National Park weather
- Bryce Canyon National Park weather
- Canyonlands National Park weather
- Capitol Reef National Park weather
- Zion National Park weather
In the spring it’s important to stay hydrated and use sun protection for any outdoor activities:
- WATER: Drink plenty of water – we use hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in our backpack.
- FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks.
- SUN PROTECTION: Sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen, and hydrating lotion, especially if you’re not used to dry heat.
- LAYERS: Pack an insulated jacket, fleece jacket, winter hat, and gloves for the cold mornings and evenings.
Is April a Good Time to Visit Utah?
Trying to decide the best times to visit Utah? It really depends on the things you want to do!
Northern Utah: In April you can still enjoy winter activities like snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the mountains. You can enjoy the lower elevation hiking trails, but they might still be wet and muddy.
Southern Utah: Most Utah spring break ideas involve the National Parks in the state so be prepared for crowds. The weather will be just right for outdoor activities.
Things to Do in Utah in April
If you’re planning a trip in April, here’s a fun list of things to do and places to visit in Utah.
Utah National Parks in April
All of the Utah National Parks are open year-round, and every single day in April. Be sure to check the NPS website for the most updated information for the Visitor Center hours and services available at each park in April
Some of the National Parks in Utah now have permits to enter or do certain activities, so be sure to check about reservations required when determining the best time to visit Utah National Parks.
We’ve written specific guides about visiting Utah National Parks in April:
- Arches National Park in April
- Bryce Canyon in April
- Canyonlands National Park in April
- Capitol Reef National Park in April
- Zion National Park in April
Utah State Parks in April
In April, here’s a list of Utah State Parks where you can enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, photography, and stargazing!
- Antelope Island State Park
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
Hiking in Utah in April
In April, the trails in the mountains of Northern Utah may still be snow-covered so you’ll still need snowshoes or traction devices.
In Southern Utah the trails should be free of snow, but may be wet since April is a rainy month.
There are plenty of trails that offer a variety of different terrains all around the state at National parks, State parks, National forests, and Wilderness areas.
Check out these fun Utah hiking ideas:
- Best Hikes in Arches National Park
- Best Day Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands Island in the Sky Hikes
- Canyonlands Needles Hikes
- Capitol Reef Hikes
- Easy Zion National Park Hikes
- Zion Hikes Without the Shuttle
- Moab Utah Hiking Trails
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
- The Best 8 Hikes Near Salt Lake City, Utah (A Local’s Guide)
- Utah Slot Canyon Hikes
Utah Scenic Drives in April
The Utah scenic drives in the lower elevations around the state are open to explore in April:
- Arches National Park Scenic Drive
- Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
- Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
- Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
- Zion National Park Scenic Drives
- Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway in Moab
- Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef
- Logan Canyon Scenic Drive
- Mirror Lake Scenic Byway – snowmobiling in April
Utah Photography in April
You’ll still need to be prepared for cold temperatures in the morning and evening when taking pictures in April. Here’s a list of our favorite photo spots in Utah.
Arches and Moab Photography
- Arches National Park Photography
- Sunrise at Arches National Park
- Sunset at Arches National Park
- Arches National Park Photo Spots
- Guide to Moab Photography
Bryce Canyon Photography
Canyonlands Photography
- Canyonlands National Park Photography at Island in the Sky
- Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky
- Canyonlands sunrise photo spots at Island in the Sky
Capitol Reef Photography
Zion and Kanab Photography
- Zion National Park Photography
- Zion National Park Photo Spots
- Best Photo Spots for Sunrise at Zion National Park
- Guide to Kanab Photography
We highly recommend rechargeable hand warmers and photographer gloves for those cold early morning sunrise outings!
Check out this Utah National Parks Photography Guides bundle to take jaw-dropping photos at all 5 parks!
Utah Stargazing in April
Stargazing is a must-do activity in Utah. The state has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world. We definitely recommend you take time to view the Utah night skies during your vacation.
In April from 1 am until sunrise you can see and photograph the milky way!
Northern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Antelope Island State Park
- Dinosaur National Monument
- East Canyon State Park
- Jordanelle State Park
- North Fork Park
Southern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
Utah Vacation Ideas
- Utah Bucket List – FREE printable
- Best Time to Visit Utah
- Utah National Parks
- Utah State Parks
- Tours in Utah
Places to Stay in Utah
- Coolest Hotels in Utah
- Places to Stay Near Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
- Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
- Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
- Places to Stay at Zion National Park
