Visiting Zion National Park in April
Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is a stunning landscape of red-rock canyons, deep gorges, and towering cliffs. This article details everything you need to know about visiting Zion National Park in April.
When planning your trip, use this Zion National Park travel guide: what to pack, where to stay, and things to do at Zion in April.
Zion is the most-visited Utah National Park to explore and photograph the colorful cliffs and canyons there.
Check out these Zion itineraries to help you plan your vacation for the number of days you’ll be in the park:
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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!
Visiting Zion National Park in April
Zion National Park is a popular destination for spring break in Utah so expect crowds.
Due to melting snowpack in the area in the spring, some Zion National Park hikes could be closed due to falling rocks, rockslides or fast-moving water. The Narrows trail will close whenever the river is moving too fast. And Angel’s Landing will close if the trail is wet and slippery.
Does the Zion Shuttle Run in April?
In April the shuttle runs every day and that’s the only way to access Zion Canyon. **Be sure to check the Zion shuttle schedule for exact dates for the month of April.
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 a fleece jacket. Layers are best for all-day activities.
Can You Drive Through Zion National Park in April?
In April you won’t be able to drive your car through Zion Canyon. The shuttles run a full schedule every day. You can always access the other Zion National Park scenic drives: Highway 9, Kolob Terrace Road and Kolob Canyon.
Is April a Good Time to Visit Zion?
A trip to Zion in April is awesome as long as you’re prepared for crowds. The weather and temperatures are perfect this time of year!
Check out our guide for finding the best time to visit Zion National Park. Each season and month of the year will have different activities and services available.
Things to Do at Zion National Park in April
Here’s a list of Zion National Park spring activities to explore this amazing park!
Zion Scenic Drives in April
There are four Zion National Park scenic drives in the park.
Zion Canyon: In April, this road can only be accessed via the shuttle. Most of the hiking trails are found in this area.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: This scenic drive and the Zion Tunnel is a must-drive! The tunnel is 1.1 miles long and the elevation gain is 800 feet. Driving along Highway 9 from Zion Canyon to the east entrance is breathtaking! Take advantage of the pullouts to stop and take photos, or even take a hike, and look for big horn sheep!
Kolob Terrace: This scenic road is accessed west of Springdale in the town of Virgin. You’ll see a different side of Zion there, AND you can escape the crowds!
Kolob Canyons: About 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, you can drive the Kolob Canyons section of the park. It’s a nice half-day drive to a different section of Zion.
We recommend the Zion & 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.
Hiking at Zion in April
Exploring the Zion National Park spring hikes is one of the best times when it’s good weather and the sun is out. It’s quite different from summer when you’re sweating and worrying about heat exhaustion.
Remember it’s still important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen even if it’s not a hot day!
In April if a storm rolls through, you may encounter falling rocks, rockslides and closed trails due to unsafe conditions. The Narrows trail will close when the water is running at a certain rate. You’ll want to check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions before setting out on any hike during the spring.
Here’s a list of Zion hikes without the shuttle if you don’t want to fight the crowds!
And we often get asked for a list of easy Zion National Park hikes that range from 0.4 miles to 3.5 miles with no more than 100 feet elevation gain. There are even some that are wheelchair accessible!
Angels Landing permit: hikers going to Angels Landing will need a permit. The National Park Service (NPS) will issue permits using online lotteries at Recreation.gov.
- What to Bring on a Day Hike
- Hiking Gear and Tips for Kids
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Best Camera for Hiking
Canyoneering at Zion in April
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 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!
Bicycling at Zion in April
One of the FUN ways to access Zion Canyon is by bike, especially in April when the weather is perfect!
Bicycling at Zion is a fun 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.
Photography at Zion in April
The best times to photograph the park are sunrise and sunset. The colors are vibrant and the light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that cannot be missed.
The best photo spots for sunrise at Zion National Park are behind the museum and the view at the end of the Canyon Overlook trail. Here you’ll capture the sunrise glow on the Zion canyon mountains.
We like to photograph the reflected glow of sunset you see on the Watchman along the Pa’rus Trail.
Here are some more Zion National Park photo spots:
- Three Patriarchs (shuttle stop): early morning
- Riverside Walk (shuttle stop): early morning
- Highway 9 landscape and bighorn sheep: early morning and evening
- Checkerboard Mesa: early morning and evening
- Kolob Terrace: sunset
Check out our Zion National Park Photography Guide with a list of best photo spots and tips for taking pictures at this stunning park!
Stargazing at Zion in April
Definitely take one evening to stay after the sun sets and LOOK UP! Zion is a popular destination for astrophotographers so you won’t be alone in the park at night. Don’t forget to use your headlamp with a red light so you don’t interfere with the other photographers using a bright white light.
In April you can see the milky way from 1:00 to 5:00 am. Yes, this is a bit early for most, but rewarding for those who want to make the effort!
Guided Zion Tours in April
You’ll find a variety of Zion National Park tours available in April to fit your needs: guided hikes, canyoneering, photography, and off-road experiences!
- 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
Zion Camping in April
Camping in Zion National Park offers amazing landscape views you can’t find anywhere else! There are two campgrounds open in April: the Watchman Campground, the South Campground. Due to the high elevation at Lava Point Campground, it doesn’t open until May.
The two campsites in Zion Canyon (Watchman and South):
- Drive-up sites and allow a maximum of two vehicles.
- Only one RV or trailer is allowed.
- Any RV including motorhomes, cabover campers and camper vans, or any trailer including 5th wheels, pop-up campers, and cargo or boat trailers are vehicles and count toward the limit.
- Each campsite allows a maximum of six people and two tents; plan accordingly.
- Hammocks are allowed but are limited to the footprint of the campsite.
If you can’t find a camp site in the park, there are a variety of RV parks near Zion National Park.
You might also enjoy the fun options for glamping Near Zion National Park in luxury tents, covered wagons, and tipis!
BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON
Things To Do Near Zion in April
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Zion National Park to add to your April vacation:
- Things to Do Near Zion National Park
- Grafton Ghost Town
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Kanab Photography
- Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Spring Activities
Packing List for Zion in April
Be sure to use a Zion National Park Packing List so you have the right clothing and gear to enjoy all the outdoor activities for your April vacation! Grab your free printable packing list by clicking the image below!
