Is early April a peak tourist season for national park areas in the southwest US?

Is early April a peak tourist season for national park areas in the southwest US? - Sunset View of Mountains

I will be joining family members on a round-trip tour of national parks in the southwest US in early April, and in order to make travel more flexible we'd prefer not to book lodging in advance if we can. Will traveling in early April make booking lodging difficult due to high demand?

Our route consists of traveling through, and staying in the areas around:

  • Las Vegas
  • Hoover Dam
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Marble Canyon
  • Horseshoe Bend
  • Antelope Canyon
  • Monument Valley
  • Glen Canyon National Rec. Area
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Dixie National Forest
  • Zion National Park
  • Parashant National Monument
  • Valley of Fire State Park


Best Answer

The National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics website provides monthly statistics including visitor data for all national parks.

An examination of the data for parks in the southwest indicates April is generally not among the top three months by visitor traffic and hence not peak season thus by extension booking during those periods should not be too difficult.




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Is early April a peak tourist season for national park areas in the southwest US? - Woods Covered With Snow
Is early April a peak tourist season for national park areas in the southwest US? - Fragment of Bethesda Fountain statue of Angel of the Waters against colorful trees placed in autumn Central Park in New York City in sunny day
Is early April a peak tourist season for national park areas in the southwest US? - Fragment of Bethesda Fountain with Angel of the Waters statue placed in Central Park in New York City in America in autumn time



Is April a good time to visit national parks?

April is a fantastic time to visit the park, with pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and fewer crowds than the busy summer season. Given the weather, April is perfect for exploring Petrified Forest National Park's short, but beautiful hiking trails.

What month are national parks the busiest?

July through August are the peak months for most, though not all, American national parks. If you are limited to only traveling in summer, then go for smaller, lesser-known parks or other protected areas. The big-name destinations such as Zion, Yellowstone and Yosemite are best explored early and late in the day.

What is the best time of year to visit national parks?

The best time to visit most U.S. National Parks is during the summer. The wildlife is its most abundant, the weather is beautiful even after dark, and, frankly, is there anything better than sipping a lawnmower beer in a hammock by the campfire?

Are Utah national parks open in April?

All of the Utah National Parks are open every single day. We recommend you avoid the holidays around Easter and spring break because those times are especially busy!



Top 10 Places In The Southwest (USA) - 4K Travel Guide




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