I have read all the reports that the weather is unpredictable in April in the Bryce/Zion Canyon areas. But that's the only time we have available for our trip. Is it worth risking the iffy weather, or should we plan to stay in Arizona and see Sedona and vicinity instead?

We are also spending 2 nights on the South Rim of the GC, and starting/ending in Vegas.

Thanks!

We did Bryce & Zion (along with the Grand Canyon) in April a few years ago. First of all Bryce and Zion have very different climates. Bryce is in the high country, and is much cooler than Zion. We got a few snow flurries at Bryce, but but by afternoon it was in the high 50's - perfect for hiking. Zion was quite warm, in the 50's at night and approaching 80 in mid afternoon.
GC was in the high 60's on the rim, but rose into the 80's has you hiked in. Vegas was in the high 70's and windy.
By all means visit Bryce and Zion, but if you can squeeze in a night in Sedona, you'll love it.

verybuckeye,

April always has some possibility of some rain, but usually it's quite nice! We are having a very, very low snowfall year, plus much warmer than normal temps (global warming). This weeks's weather prediction is for southern Utah around St. George to get up to the 80's and 90's! I would definitely go!

We just got back from Zion/Bryce/Sedona and had glorious weather - in the 70s, no rain.

I have been to these areas in the summer, and it was sooo much more pleasant hiking in May than in the 90 degree summer temps!

About the only downside I could see was that it is now too cold to hike the Narrows, which is a great hike.

I just returned from a week at Zion last night! It was gorgeous! It was warm (in the 80's) during the day and cool at night. Bring layers because the weather can change in an instant - and it did! We have been to Zion at least 8 times, both summertime and Spring Break. I am sure you will enjoy it no matter what!
The water was really too cold for hiking the Narrows, but some people rented gear from the local outfitters and hiked it anyway.