Which national parks to visit for a week in mid-April?

[Anonymous]

We want to hit some Western national parks on our next spring break (April 13-20). We are trying to decide on the best route/iteinerary for that time of year weather-wise, with 7-8 days to work with, understanding that some areas are probably already booked up. What do you national park experts recommend?

[Anonymous]

We did Olympic National Park in Washington for a spring break. It was a little cool and a bit wet a couple days, but it was fantastic. Spectacular scenery and not too many crowds…highly recommend.

Utah parks are another option for spring break. Can be cool, but crowds are less than in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did Olympic National Park in Washington for a spring break. It was a little cool and a bit wet a couple days, but it was fantastic. Spectacular scenery and not too many crowds…highly recommend.

Utah parks are another option for spring break. Can be cool, but crowds are less than in the summer.

PP, here. Forgot to add, favorite thing about Olympic is it’s like going to three or four different parks- beaches, rainforest, mountains, lakes…

[Anonymous]

Great time to visit Utah. Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion. Can also mix in in SLC, Mesa Verde/Durango or Las Vegas depending upon your flights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great time to visit Utah. Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion. Can also mix in in SLC, Mesa Verde/Durango or Las Vegas depending upon your flights.

You really should attempt all this in 7 days. Either do Arches/Capitol Reef/Canyonlands or do Zion/Bryce. They’re on opposite ends of the state and gigantic parks - there’s too much to see to them and they’re too far from the Arches side of Utah to cram in both. If you want to see Vegas you could fly in and out of there and drive 3 hours to Zion. If you want to do Arches you could fly into SLC or the other small airport in Colorado, I forget its name.

[Anonymous]

Should not attempt**!

[Anonymous]

What about Sequoia and Yosemite? We have family in the area so are considering that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great time to visit Utah. Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion. Can also mix in in SLC, Mesa Verde/Durango or Las Vegas depending upon your flights.

You really should attempt all this in 7 days. Either do Arches/Capitol Reef/Canyonlands or do Zion/Bryce. They’re on opposite ends of the state and gigantic parks - there’s too much to see to them and they’re too far from the Arches side of Utah to cram in both. If you want to see Vegas you could fly in and out of there and drive 3 hours to Zion. If you want to do Arches you could fly into SLC or the other small airport in Colorado, I forget its name.

NP. This is a fair point, although I did all 5 of these in 8ish days many years ago. But it was just two of us, no kids, and we did a lot of driving, and had to pack the two most exhausting hikes at Zion into one day. I’d recommend Zion/Bryce, with a day in whatever city you fly into. Zion is absolutely stunning. Apparently you have to get lottery passes to do Angels Landing now, so if you’re interested in that, look into it ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Sequoia and Yosemite? We have family in the area so are considering that route.

We did both of those in 2021 and it’s a good itinerary. Might still be some snowpack on the ground in mid April.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great time to visit Utah. Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion. Can also mix in in SLC, Mesa Verde/Durango or Las Vegas depending upon your flights.

You really should attempt all this in 7 days. Either do Arches/Capitol Reef/Canyonlands or do Zion/Bryce. They’re on opposite ends of the state and gigantic parks - there’s too much to see to them and they’re too far from the Arches side of Utah to cram in both. If you want to see Vegas you could fly in and out of there and drive 3 hours to Zion. If you want to do Arches you could fly into SLC or the other small airport in Colorado, I forget its name.

NP. This is a fair point, although I did all 5 of these in 8ish days many years ago. But it was just two of us, no kids, and we did a lot of driving, and had to pack the two most exhausting hikes at Zion into one day. I’d recommend Zion/Bryce, with a day in whatever city you fly into. Zion is absolutely stunning. Apparently you have to get lottery passes to do Angels Landing now, so if you’re interested in that, look into it ahead of time.

We did this in 9 days, with a one-way car rental from SLC to LAS. It was ambitious but doable. It depends on your family's travel style.

[Anonymous]

If you haven't already done Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone it's a no-brainer to do one of those.

If not, we went to Zion a couple of years ago and it was amazing, but we went in Nov and it wasn't crowded; I hear it can get very crowded during spring break and summer and that that can be an issue with enjoyment of that park. Good thing about Zion is you can easily drive to Bryce as well (or even Grand Canyon).

I love the suggeston from PP of Sequoia and Yosemite -- I want to do that trip next.

Probably the most beautiful place I've been is Monument Valley; it's a Navajo park. But really only one day of a visit.

[Anonymous]

Joshua Tree - Mojave Désert - Death Valley - Sequoia

[Anonymous]

Saguaro, grand canyon, stop in Sedona and tuzigoot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about Sequoia and Yosemite? We have family in the area so are considering that route.

We did both of those in 2021 and it’s a good itinerary. Might still be some snowpack on the ground in mid April.

Yosemite had snow falling in May last year I think April is early unless you are ok with possible road closures and hiking in snow.

Sequoia and Joshua Tree are a little far but driveable (though Joshua Tree can have the opposite problem of being hot)

Zion/Bryce/Grand Canyon is a good set— can go one way from LAS to PHX (maybe add Sedona).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Joshua Tree - Mojave Désert - Death Valley - Sequoia

This is a good suggestion.