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Best national parks to visit in April
All 63 US national parks ranked by April camping weather, using NOAA 1991–2020 averages at each park. Top picks: Arches, Pinnacles, Zion, Guadalupe Mountains, Petrified Forest.
#1Arches
Utah
100 avg 72° / 43°F · 0.8 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#2Pinnacles
California
100 avg 72° / 39°F · 1.0 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#3Zion
Utah
100 avg 73° / 44°F · 1.2 in
Entry: Not required · $35 per vehicle
#4Guadalupe Mountains
Texas
100 avg 71° / 46°F · 0.5 in
Entry: Not required · $10 per person
#5Petrified Forest
Arizona
100 avg 68° / 35°F · 0.4 in
Entry: Not required · $25 per vehicle
#6Carlsbad Caverns
New Mexico
100 avg 76° / 49°F · 0.5 in
Entry: Timed entry for the cavern · $15 per person
#7Congaree
South Carolina
100 avg 77° / 53°F · 2.7 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#8Channel Islands
California
100 avg 67° / 50°F · 0.7 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#9White Sands
New Mexico
100 avg 79° / 41°F · 0.3 in
Entry: Not required · $25 per vehicle
#10Capitol Reef
Utah
100 avg 65° / 39°F · 0.5 in
Entry: Not required · $20 per vehicle
#11Joshua Tree
California
100 avg 81° / 54°F · 0.1 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#12Badlands
South Dakota
100 avg 62° / 35°F · 2.3 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#13Big Bend
Texas
100 avg 82° / 54°F · 0.5 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#14Canyonlands
Utah
100 avg 62° / 40°F · 0.7 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#15Yosemite
California
99 avg 63° / 38°F · 3.2 in
Entry: Not required · $35 per vehicle
Key dates in April
- Angels Landing summer lottery (hikes Jun–Aug 2027) Expected
- Mount Whitney: claim deadline, then unclaimed dates open Expected
Questions
What are the best national parks to visit in April?
Based on NOAA average weather, the mildest parks in April are Arches, Pinnacles, Zion, Guadalupe Mountains, Petrified Forest.
Which national parks should I avoid in April?
For camping weather, National Park of American Samoa, Denali, Crater Lake, Gates of the Arctic, Kobuk Valley score lowest, because of cold, heat or rain.
Are there free national park days in April?
There is no national park fee-free day in April in 2026.
The score (0–100) rates weather only: best with average highs of 62–82°F, nights above freezing and under 3 inches of precipitation. It doesn't account for road closures, crowds or snow on high trails; check each park guide. All park guides
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