April in Utah

[757Dave]

We are looking at visiting southwest Colorado and southern Utah in April. We would arrive the second week of April and are hoping to be in the area for about four weeks.

Open to ALL suggestions for what to look for concerning the weather, sites to visit, campgrounds (we don't usually stay in national parks).

Thanks in advance for your help.

[HONDAMAN174]

Bryce Canyon is a must and stay at Ruby’s campground. They have the shuttle pick you up to go into park just out in front. There is a horseback ride down and back up that you sign up at the hotel. Suggest that you sign up ASAP as it is a hot ticket. Only take the 2 hour though. Did the 4 hour and was way too long with slow pokes.

[HangDiver]

I would suggest visiting Telluride, Silverton, Durango, Mesa Verde Natl Park. Expect warm days and cold nights.

[ependydad]

This past May, we stayed about 1/2 way between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ at a horse ranch called Paria River Ranch. The folks were friendly and they have 3 or 4 full hookup spots. They have a bunch of 15amp and dry camping spots but they're mostly for folks with horses. Cute place.

Pictures:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougse...57680573555903

We spent 3 weeks there and it was a decent jumping off point to go sight-seeing BUT it was at least 40-45 minutes to get to just about anything. If I had to do it again, I'd move more often and would stay closer to each attraction that I wanted to see.

Weather in May had beautiful daytime temperatures. The nights were still comfortably cool. I'd love to go in April.

If you hike, it's well worth trying for a permit to hike The Wave. It's a lottery system and not many get in. But for those that day, it's absolutely stunning. Unfortunately when I was there, my daughter was coming off of a knee injury and overall- I was concerned that 5-6 miles with my family was too much.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

I would suggest visiting Telluride, Silverton, Durango, Mesa Verde Natl Park. Expect warm days and cold nights.

I second this suggestion and add Moab, UT (Canyon and, Arches, and Dead Horse state park.)

[757Dave]

Thanks for the rapid responses! We are just putting this together and didn't know if April would be too cold to enjoy the adventure.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by 757Dave

Thanks for the rapid responses! We are just putting this together and didn't know if April would be too cold to enjoy the adventure.

April is a great time of year to be in that area. Unlike the eastern US however, expect a very large spread in daytime high and low temperatures - as much as 35 degrees difference.

[NealM]

We live in Saint George, Utah! Zion NP close by with Virgin River Resort just a few miles from Zion entrance. Also, just west of StG is Snow Canyon State Park, an amazing geological sight with camping. If you get near Page Arizona towards eastern Utah be sure to do the Antelope Canyon tour through the slot canyons.

[757Dave]

You guys are the BOMB! This has all been valuable information.

Weather has been DW's biggest concern.

We are looking forward to our trip.

[fanrgs]

Many ski areas in Colorado stay open into April. No US Forest Service campgrounds in Colorado are open that early and some state parks in the mountains will be closed until May. So, if you plan to go places like Telluride, Silverton, or Ouray, expect snow and very cold nights. Cortez-Mesa Verde is lower in elevation and warmer, so you may have some beautiful warm, sunny days there. BTW, the narrow Durango & Silverton RR will not be running in April or early May.

[757Dave]

Again, you guys are the greatest!

Keep 'em coming!

[CHICKDOE]

grand canyon, four corners, monument valley Utah (access is through kayenta, az), Kodachrome state park utah

[NealM]

Moab, Arches, Capital Reef...the list goes on, 7 national parks in Utah. There is a Great Circle of about 1000 miles to visit them all, BLM has free maps.