Bryce Canyon National Park In April: What To Expect

Thinking about visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in April and not sure what to expect? You’re asking the right question.

April is one of those shoulder-season months that can be absolutely magical in Bryce… or a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re walking into. Snow, sunshine, icy trails, wild temperature swings — it can all happen in a single day.

This guide is best for travelers who want fewer crowds, dramatic scenery, and realistic expectations. If you’re flexible, enjoy cooler temperatures, and don’t mind adjusting plans based on conditions, April can be an incredible time to visit Bryce Canyon.

Here’s a quick teaser: seeing snow-dusted hoodoos under bright blue skies is one of the most striking sights Bryce has to offer — and April gives you a real shot at experiencing it.

Let’s walk through exactly what Bryce Canyon is like in April so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your trip — and plan accordingly.

‼️ If you just want a quick snapshot about my thoughts on the best time to visit Bryce National Park, check out my Best Time to Go to Bryce National Park guide.

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Table of Contents

Visiting Bryce Canyon in April

Aerial view of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park

Although April is considered spring, it is very much a transitional month between winter and spring and it’s not uncommon to experience heavy snows as late as May.

This is the season everything starts to open up, baby animals are born, and the weather can be wonderful. As long as you’re comfortable with the possibility of winter weather, it can be a lovely time to visit, without too many people around.

Weather in Bryce Canyon in April

There is still a good chance of snow and while daytime temperatures can get into the low 50°F, nights are generally still below freezing.

Openings/ Closings in Bryce Canyon in April

Most things are starting to open up. Winter programs are finished for the season, though rangers will still lead snowshoe hikes if there is still snow on the ground.

The free shuttle starts in April, albeit on a more limited schedule. More accommodation options also start to open up in April, and rates are typically lower than in summer. The store and all restrooms also open this month.

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“Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year”

Free park shuttle	Starts early April on slightly limited schedule
Visitor Center	Operates on Spring Hours (8:00AM – 6:00PM)
General Store at Sunrise Point	Opens at the beginning of April
Restrooms	All are open
Bicycle rental	Closed
Private and guided horse rides	Start in April or May depending on the weather
Ranger programs	Geology Ranger Talks held daily. Check current ranger programs in Bryce Canyon to confirm. Evening Ranger Programs and Night Sky Telescope Ranger Programs are not offered.
The Bryce Canyon Lodge and dining room	Typically opens at the beginning of April (except cabins) The North Campground is open for year-round camping, though the dump station is closed.
Campgrounds	The North Campground is open for year-round camping, though the dump station is closed. The Sunset Campground typically opens in mid-April.
Roads	The main park road is open but closes at mile marker 3 (the Scenic Drive) temporarily during snowstorms. Viewpoints before mile marker 3 can typically still be accessed.
Hiking Trails	The Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop is closed. The Rim Trail between Inspiration Point and Bryce Point is closed. All other trails are usually open.

Things to Do in Bryce Canyon in April

In April you can do many hikes, possibly with snowshoes if there is still snow, join a geology talk with a ranger, and possibly go on a horse ride, depending on the snow and weather.

Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill Dinner Show also opens in late April and this is one of my favorite things to do at Bryce Canyon.

Hiking in Bryce Canyon in April

The Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop is still closed, but you can still hike the Two Bridges section of this loop. The Rim Trail between Inspiration Point and Bryce Point is also still closed.

All other trails are usually open, but you’ll likely need microspikes for hiking as the trails can be very icy as the weather starts to warm and melt the snow.

➡️ If you need to buy some microspikes for hiking, read my Guide to Buying the Best Microspikes for Hiking for tips and recommendations.

Is April a good time to visit Bryce Canyon?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of visiting in this month.

Pros

More accommodation options available
Cheaper accommodations than in summer
Free shuttle is available to get around the park
Few people in the park
More dining and entertainment options also start to open

Cons

Some roads still closed
Some trails still closed
Chance of winter weather causing closure of Scenic Drive
It’s still cold, albeit getting warmer
Evening Ranger Programs and Night Sky Telescope Ranger Programs are not offered

Key Events in Bryce Canyon in April

✳️ National Park Week – there are special promotions and park rangers will offer special programs during this week.

✨ PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER ✨
Deciding when to go to Bryce Canyon National Park for is a very important step in planning your trip, and I hope this guide is helping.

However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide. Once you’ve decided the timing of your trip, you still need to make an actual plan.

In fact, the thing that most people ask me about is how to put it all together into an itinerary that makes sense. They decide when they’ll go and maybe even book their flights, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.

To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, I’ve created super detailed itineraries.

Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.

There are 1-day and 2-day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Bryce Canyon National Park.

➡️ Check out the two Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary options

Travel Insurance for Bryce Canyon National Park

No matter what when you go to Bryce Canyon National Park, you should definitely get travel insurance. This can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.

A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:

Enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park whenever you go!

‼️ If you just want a quick snapshot about my thoughts on the best time to visit Bryce National Park, check out my Best Time to Go to Bryce National Park guide.

Additional Planning Resources for Bryce Canyon National Park

What do you think is the best time of year to visit Bryce and Zion? Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).

WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR PLANNING PROCESS?
💡 Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Read my Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
📋 Do you want a ready-made super detailed plan for your trip to Bryce Canyon? Get a detailed 1 – 3-day Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
📖 Do you want to read a book about US national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading Lists

About the author

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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