I am planning a trip for April 19-23 in 2010 and trying to get my plans settled relatively soon. My primary interest in this trip is going out and enjoying nature. I would love to have opportunities to view and enjoy wildlife and would also like to enjoy some memorable nature hikes. Basically, it could be described as a "one with nature" trip.

As my other post indicates, I am mostly looking at Yellowstone right now. However, there are certain questions based on weather at that time. How much of the park will be open and accessible, where to stay, and so forth. I posted that thread on Yellowstone and feel confident that great advice will be offered as I have found to be the norm on this forum. I do not need the Yellowstone questions answered here, specifically.

However... I know my focus on Yellowstone may have blinded me to other options. Perhaps there is another National Park that has great wildlife viewing and great hikes in April? Perhaps there is an area that is not a National Park but can meet this goal?

So I am open to your suggestions. Besides Yellowstone, where would you recommend as the place to go for wildlife and nature hiking/viewing April 19-23rd? I should note that this is not a family trip... I am a 32 year old male and any travel buddy would be one other guy my same age. So, yes, we are looking for that rugged/outdoors/adventure type experience for April. =)

As always... thank you SO much for your helpful suggestions and advice. I know the two posts may bug some a bit, but I only did it because they really are two separate lines of thought. One was focused only on Yellowstone in April whereas this one is my attempt to be open to other suggestions and advice in any state.

I live in MA but distance travel is fine. In fact, I prefer to go further rather than closer.

Thanks again!

For rugged outdoors experience, look into the four corners area. Depending on how much time you have you could hike in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and Dead Horse State park in southeastern Utah, head over to Bandelier NM in New Mexico. For wildlife, there should be elk in the Valles Caldera not far from Bandelier. You also could opt for Zion and Bryce. Plenty of deer, turkeys in Zion and nice hiking opportunities. Or, go to Grand Canyon and hike, check out the condors, look for elk and mule deer. It will be cool in GC and Bryce because of the elevation and there could be snow (one April it was in the 60's one it snowed).

Save Yellowstone for late June, lots of baby bison, baby elk, moose, deer, bears, and not too many crowds.

Have a great trip!!

Do you have your heart set on going somewhere in the States? I'd go to Costa Rica - hard to beat for hiking and wildlife, cool waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes - it has a lot to offer, since you said you prefer to go farther than closer I thought I'd suggest it.

Most people who have been to Yosemite and Yellowstone, think that Yosemite has the more spectacular natural beauty. April is a very nice month to visit Yosemite.

Yeah, even though I am looking for more distant travel... I am still looking within the US. I just mean I would prefer making the the trip across the Mississippi or into the south rather than NH or VT.

I appreciate the advice on Costa Rica, though, because it is high on my list. I have never been and keep thinking of setting it as a target for a big trip. Your comments certainly helped keep that fire going, so thanks!

I agree with the suggestion of visiting the parks Utah. It's a great time to visit Moab (Arches & Canyonlands) before it gets brutally hot. I've visited twice in April and have had glorious weather once, then a rainy visit the second time, which gave a much different and beautiful perspective - the desert wildflowers blooming were amazing! Bryce and Zion are spectacular any time of the year. Also consider Escalante and Capitol Reef close by as well. You'll enjoy the lack of crowds and wide open low-season lodging at most places. There are a lot of advantages to exploring this area at that time of year.

Follow emalloy's suggestion for a GREAT GREAT trip. April in Moab would be perfect weather. With just 4 days spend the entire time right in Moab. You won't have great wildlife, but you will have a ton of other great things. I am up to 21 national parks and Yellowstone is the best all around. However, Arches is absolutely fantastic. The best thing I have ever done in a national park(this includes rafting the grand canyon) is with www.deserthighlights.com I have done two trips with them. Do a full day- you will not be disappointed. You could rent a jeep. I would do a bicycle tour for sure. Hiking is just out of this world.

Columbia River Gorge near Portland OR is great. Not sure about the weather at that time of year though.

We did see a couple of mule deer in arches, a snake, and tons of lizards. You might get lucky and see a desert big horn sheep, but not likely.

more thoughts San Francisco/Pt. Reyes. Spend half you time in the city and the other half at Point Reyes National Seashore. You will see Elk and most likely marine life. Tidepooling is a great experience to see starfish, sea urchin, etc.

other good place is Death Valley, Saquaro, Big Bend, Carlsbad/Quadalope, Joshua Tree.

for something totally different- camp on Channel Islands.

I agree that seeing Bryce, Zion and others in Utah would be great that time of year.

Yosemite will be in its full glory-waterfalls galore.Tioga will be closed but the valley will be humming.

Yellowstone might be still in snow or slush.

Okay, hope you find your dream spot!

I don't think seeing Bryce and Zion would be a good time. Bryce is high altitude. Zion might be ok, but The Narrows might be really cold and that is a must do hike.

Are Arches & Canyonlands lower altitude than Zion and Bryce... and therefore better weather? (My only time in Utah to date is a 1 hour layover at Salt Lake City airport so, obviously, I am not totally familiar with the elevations)

Taking into account the variation in elevation within each park, Arches and Canyonlands are at around 5,000 ft at their max; Bryce is over 9,000 feet and Zion is 8,000 so winter weather and snowy/muddy trails could linger longer at Bryce and Zion in April.

Also, for only four days, the Moab area is plenty. Arches and Canyonlands are very different in terms of scenery and surroundings, even though they're essential right across the street from each other! You'd be able to do some great hikes and drives in that time frame. Moab is a great, lively little town. The only drawback is the lack of major airport in the area; however, Grand Junction, CO, is an easy 90 minute drive to Moab if you don't mind paying extra for a commuter flight from Denver (otherwise, it's a six hour drive and weather could slow you down through the mountains.)

While Zion and Bryce are at higher altitude,in mid April it will be pretty moderate. By early June it can get to over 100F and an oven. I agree the Narrows is a highlight. I think any of these, including Moab, would be a great choice that time of year. Have fun !

I love the National Parks in Utah, and April is a great time to go to Zion, In addition, you could check out hiking in the area of Utah called the San Rafael Swell or Northern Arizona: The Wave, Vermillion Cliffs.

Our favorite place to go in April is Death Valley. Great hiking, lots of history, wildflowers, wildlife - a huge geology lesson.

I personally like to go to a park at the best time of the year. This can be different for different people.

I don't think April would be good at all in yellowstone. If wildlife is what you are interested in, then Yellowstone would be good. However, there is a good chance that the road to the geyser areas want even be open. And almost certain that you wouldn't see Canyon/Tower area. I don't know if they allow snowmobiles that time of year or not.

For Bryce, the weather could certainly come into play.

Zion might be ok, but why freeze in "The Narrows". The narrows are considered one of the best hikes in a National Park. It is my wifes favorite hike she has ever done.

The reason I suggested Arches/Canyonlands