I'm heading to Salt Lake City mid April and was wondering if I should take a few extra days to explore. How far are the National Parks? What is the temperature like in April? Thanks!

April is unpredictable. We were there in mid April 3 years ago and the weather was fierce. The winds were howling across the flats so hard that those huge semi trailer trucks were being blown over on their sides. Most of them were stopped on the side of the road with the drivers praying they would not be flipped over.

One day, we headed for Bryce Canyon, but south of Orem the snow was piling up so that we stopped and returned. We might have made the trip to Bryce, but we had to leave for home early the next day and we were already 4 hours into the trip going down and we were only half way there.

The national parks are not exactly next door if that is what you are asking.

There are some national monuments not too far off. The Golden Spike National Historic Monument is north of the city. Timpanogos Cave is closed until May.

Bryce is 270 miles depending on where you want to stop for the last overlook.
Zion is a little longer drive; it is about 315 to Zion.

I came up with 291 miles from the SLC International Airport to the Bryce Visitor Center. 311 miles to Zion National Park. Capitol Reef National Park is 220 miles and Moab, Utah is 239 miles. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse State Park are all near by to Moab, Utah.

Utahtea

Thanks. Seems like the national parks may be out, but I liked the other suggestions. Any other thoughts for the city or surrounding areas for mid-April?

Although you cannot go in the Temple unless you are Mormon (or at least that is my understanding), the Tabernacle is open and there are tours. The acoustics in that hall are something incredible to experience. If you can get lucky and be there when Tabernacle Choir is rehersing or performing, it is a very memorable experience.

I found the information on the church itself to be interesting because I knew so little about it. I suppose that is the history major in me being satisfied.
Some people might not want to do that kind of activity, but I thought it interesting.

The capitol building itself is interesting to walk through, and the view from the hill is very good.