Hi All, which national park would you recommend to visit the 1st week of April...In U.S., I've considered Death Valley, Yosemite, Seattle(Area)... How about Arizona Canyon Country... Yellowstone & Glacier may be too cold?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

lucian,
Yosemite, Yellowstone and Glacier will most likely be pretty cold and snowy that early. I'd check out Arizona/southern Utah. Lots of amazing sights to see and warmer. We've been to Tucson in February a couple times and it's great. Saguaro National Park is beautiful, great hiking. Organ Pipe Nat'l Monument is also a unique landscape - it's on the Mexican border. Southern Utah is one of my favorite areas in the world and there are lots of natural areas to explore.

First week of April in Death Valley should be great. This is when we are planning to visit. If you looking for great place to stay consider Furnace Creek Inn. Death Valley is spectacular place to visit especially if you enjoy hiking. I posted a brief trip report somewhere on this board. We visited mid-November. A couple years ago in April we visited Saguaro NP and Organ Pipe Np in Arizona. Gorgeous places.

Joshua Tree is now a National Park, and April will be a prime month.

How about Death Valley, Joshua Tree and if you have more than a week going from there to Arizona to visit Saguaro and Organ Pipe.

how about canyonlands and arches nat'l monument in utah.

Yosemite Valley is usually very nice in April. There have been many times when I've worn shorts in April, but be aware that it still could snow too. The High country in Yosemite will still be closed but the waterfalls in the valley are beautiful this time of the year. It's my favorite time to go.

I think that a lot of the areas in Yellowstone will still be closed and I believe the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier will still be closed in April.

Utahtea

The parks near Seattle will be snowed in, too. I'd also say Yosemite, even though only the Valley will be accessable. You'll miss the crowds that go in summer but get to see the waterfalls when they are at full force.

Canyonlands and Arches would also be a good choice, as would the Grand Canyon.

I second (or is it third?) that emotion about the Grand Canyon. The park is busy in April, but has yet to approach summertime craziness levels. The weather is primo - 70F usual. Lake Powell is also nice in April.

Something different, the Everglades NP.

As long as we are straying for those you mentioned. Big Bend National Park in Texas had beautiful weather in April.

Utahtea

I'll plan a flight to Vagas/Phoenix & plan something from there... In that region, I've been to Canyonland/Arches/Grand Canyon & Zion.

For one week, any suggestion of itanary? Hitting Death Valley/Slotted Canyon, Joshua Tree...etc.