Things to Do in Salt Lake City in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Salt Lake City
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect skiing conditions at Alta and Snowbird - April delivers 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) of fresh powder most weeks, with longer daylight hours extending ski days until 5:30 PM
- Cherry blossoms peak bloom at Memory Grove and Liberty Park during the first two weeks - locals call this 'Salt Lake's secret season' with temperatures ideal for walking tours
- Hotel rates drop 40-60% after Easter weekend - you'll pay $89-120/night for downtown properties that cost $180+ during winter Olympics anniversary celebrations
- Temple Square gardens come alive with 50,000+ tulips and daffodils, while most tourist crowds won't arrive until Memorial Day weekend
Considerations
- Unpredictable weather swings from 4°C (40°F) mornings to 21°C (70°F) afternoons within the same day - locals joke about experiencing four seasons before lunch
- Mountain canyons close randomly due to avalanche risk and rockfall from snowmelt - Big Cottonwood Canyon closes 3-4 days per month on average
- Mud season hits hiking trails hard - popular spots like Ensign Peak and City Creek Canyon become impassable slush pits until late April
Best Activities in April
Alta and Snowbird Spring Skiing
April skiing in the Cottonwood Canyons offers the season's best powder-to-crowd ratio. With 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) of fresh snow weekly and daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), conditions stay powdery longer. Lift lines disappear after Easter - you'll ski runs that had 45-minute waits in February with walk-on access.
Great Salt Lake Island Exploration
April marks the only month when Antelope Island State Park offers perfect conditions - wildflowers bloom across 11,000 hectares (28,000 acres) while bison herds are most active before summer heat. Water levels rise from winter snowmelt, creating ideal conditions for kayaking the lake's north arm.
Temple Square and Downtown Walking Tours
April transforms Temple Square into a showcase garden with 50,000+ spring bulbs in peak bloom. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir resumes full performances after winter hiatus, and 16°C (60°F) afternoon temperatures make the 2.4 km (1.5 mile) historic walking circuit comfortable without summer's brutal sun.
Red Butte Garden and Natural Areas
The garden's 40-hectare (100-acre) spring display peaks in April with over 200 wildflower species. Morning temperatures of 8°C (46°F) climbing to 18°C (65°F) create perfect hiking conditions on the 6.4 km (4 mile) trail network. Locals avoid summer visits due to heat - April offers exclusive access to seasonal beauty.
Bonneville Salt Flats Photography Expeditions
April delivers the year's most dramatic salt flat conditions - winter flooding creates mirror-like surfaces reflecting the Wasatch Mountains, while temperatures stay comfortable for sunrise shoots. The 1.5-hour drive west becomes worthwhile when conditions align perfectly for 2-3 week windows.
Park City Off-Season Mountain Biking
Lower elevation trails around Park City dry out by mid-April while higher routes stay snow-covered, creating perfect conditions for intermediate riders. With ski crowds gone and summer tourist season not yet started, you'll have 640 km (400 miles) of trails largely to yourself.
April Events & Festivals
Utah Arts Festival Planning Season
While the main festival happens in June, April marks when local artists begin showcasing preview works in gallery districts. The downtown arts scene comes alive with First Friday gallery walks featuring reduced winter heating costs making venues more accessible.
Salt Lake Earth Day Festival
Liberty Park hosts the city's largest environmental celebration with 150+ vendors, live music, and demonstrations. The mild April weather makes this outdoor event significantly more comfortable than summer festivals that bake under intense mountain-reflected sun.