April in Colorado can offer you good things from two seasons: the winter that is slowly ending and the spring that is just gaining momentum.
By mid-April, almost all ski resorts are open, and as this month is known for more extensive snowfall at higher altitudes, you should not be surprised if spring skiing continues until the end of April.
However, that only applies to Arapahoe Basin because snow will surely be at the ski resort until June and sometimes even July.
In April, ski resorts in Colorado are less crowded, the days are longer, there is more sun, the temperatures are more pleasant, the lifts have extended hours, and accommodation prices can be lower.
April is also the right time to follow dinosaur tracks in Colorado.
Visit Dinosaur National Monument in the Yampa River Canyon, Picketwire Canyonlands located south of La Junta, Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison, giant sequoia fossils in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument near Cripple Creek, and Colorado Springs, Royal George Dinosaur Experience near Canon City, an hour from Colorado Springs, and just 4.5 miles from the highest suspension bridge in the United States, the Royal George Bridge.
Check out what’s happening in April in Vail, Denver, and Boulder, or take a tour of one of the four National Parks in the Centennial State: Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
With its 60 mountains and peaks that rise above 14,000 feet Rocky Mountain National Park is among the highest national parks in the United States. Over 415 square miles branch off with 300 miles of groomed trails.
Trail Ridge Road offers unforgettable views from its highest point at 12,000 feet. Estes Park and Grand Lake are tourist paradises.
Mesa Verde National Park is a tourist time machine to the time of the ancestors of the Pueblo people. You will travel the distance of time with the help of almost 5000 archaeological sites, 600 of which are on the cliffs themselves.
The most famous buildings in the National Park are Cliff Palace, Long House, Mug House, Square Tower House, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House.
In Great Sand Dunes National Park, you will see Star Dune, which at 750 feet is the tallest in the Park and other dunes among the tallest in the United States.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison has a legend that gives it its name: some spots at its base have never been illuminated by the sun. It is so deep that its cliffs are almost always in shadow and appear black.
Don’t be put off by experienced mountaineers descending the cliffs into the canyon interior. Stick to the cliffside trail that offers surreal views.
April is the right time to visit the hot springs. While the treetops and mountains in sight are covered with snow, it is a special feeling to be in warm baths. Relaxation and enjoyment are guaranteed.
Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs is located in the Crystal River Valley at an elevation of 7,000 feet. This resort has spectacular views of the Elk Range and Mount Sopris. Log cabins are available for rent at Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs.
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa is located 3.5 miles from Buena Vista. The resort has five thermal pools with varying water temperatures from 940F to 1100F.
Mount Princeton, Hot Springs Resort, is located in Nathrop at an elevation of 8,250 feet. Offers a soak in the 1400F water temperature pool.
Mount Princeton is located in the Collegiate Peaks section of the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is located on the edge of the Routt National Forest, eight miles from Steamboat Springs.
Five cascading pools are lined up next to each other. Iron Mountain Hot Spring is located in Glenwood Springs. In sixteen pools of the original shape, there is thermal mineral water rich in iron.
The water temperature in these pools ranges from 980F to 1080F. In the large swimming pool, the water temperature is 940F.
Vail in April: Taste of Vail
In Vail, the ski season ends in April. The exact date varies from year to year. This year, the Vail Mountain Resorts will close on April 24th. In Vail, April snowfalls are quite frequent and abundant.
Therefore, the snow quality at the ski resorts differs from during the season. But at the same time, April brings skiers some advantages.
Ski resorts are less crowded, and the working hours of cable cars are extended. Mountain resorts in Vail are reminiscent of ski resorts in Europe.
Staying in April only enhances that romantic experience. The average high temperature in Vail in April is 420F, and the low is 190F.
The Taste of Vail food and wine festival occurs at the beginning of April. The festival begins on April 5th with the Debut of Rose event.
More than 80 wines will be presented at the Debut of Rose, which comprise a wide range of styles and tastes: semi-sweet, dry and sparkling. All presented wines will be available for tasting.
At the Niman Ranch Iberian Duroc Pork Challenge and Apres Testing, you can judge and enjoy the skills of 22 Chefs and Guest Chefs. The tasting takes place on April 6th on the Streets of Vail: Willow Bridge Road, Gore Creek Drive, and Meadow Drive.
In addition to food, the products of over 55 wineries, distilleries, and breweries will be tasted.
The Taste of Vail picnic at Eagles Nest is scheduled for the next day. This outdoor tasting at an altitude of 10,350 feet represents the best of the best that events have to offer. In addition, the place where you will enjoy food and drink offers a spectacular view.
On the penultimate day of the Taste of Vail Festival in the Grand View Room at Lionshead, Sturia Caviar and Wine will take place. You will have the opportunity to try Sturia caviar with champagne.
Lionshead is considered by many to be the best mountain resort for first-timers to Vail. The main reasons for this claim are safety and proximity to many ski resorts, shops, and restaurants.
At the end of the Taista of Vail festival on April 8th, Riedel, Groth Vineyards, and Silverado Vineyards will host a wine tasting that they claim will change your life.
Sommelier Shelie Sale will take you through the world of wine, explaining the role of the glass in enjoying wine.
On the same day, as the crown of the festival, in the Hythe Hotel in Lionshead, there will be a tasting in which all the participants of this year’s festival will participate.
The end of the festival does not mean the end of the fun in Vail because Vail is a Party town! So when night falls, start chasing rabbits.
What is Chasing Rabbits? Chasing Rabbits is a cinema, a restaurant, an arcade, a theater, a quiet corner of the lounge with a library, and a restaurant.
Beaver Creek in April
The atmosphere at the mountain resort in Beaver Creek, like that in Vine, is reminiscent of European winter resorts.
If we add to that romantic atmosphere and claim that Beaver Creek is famous as the best luxury resort that offers a vacation for the whole family, it is clear that fewer crowds at the end of the season will be one of the main advantages.
In McCoy Park, beginners and those who have mastered a little more than their first ski lessons will be more relaxed.
By the middle of the month, all 24 lifts will operate, including the two Express gondolas, the ten-person cabin gondola, and six-person chairlifts.
The lowest average temperature in April is 200F, and the highest is 430F.
Telluride in April
At the beginning of April, Mountain Village and many restaurants close. The ski season ends this early because of the moose migration. The maximum daytime temperature in Telluride is 460F and drops to 240F at night.
When spring arrives in the San Juan Mountains, it’s time to replace the ski slopes with a different kind of fun. Visit Ouray, which is only an hour from Telluride.
At Ouray Hot Springs, you can relax and enjoy the 1500F hot springs. They are located along the Umcompahgre River in the San Juan National Forest.
Try hiking the trails around Telluride, but they can be muddy after the snow melts. If conditions permit, walk to Bear Creek or Bridal Veil Falls.
Although the rafting season doesn’t start until the end of May due to the snow melting in April, you can go on full- or half-day trips on the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon or on the Dolores and San Miguel rivers. Adventurers could also try their hand at kayaking.
Twenty-five miles from Telluride on the San Juan Mountains are Dunton Hot Springs, with twelve soaking cabins, indoor and outdoor pools, and hot spring tubs.
In addition to the standard dining room, it is possible to bring food and drinks to the cabins.
Aspen in April
Officially, the ski season in Aspen ends in mid-April, but it has often been extended if there is so much snow that it piles up.
Aspen averages 20 inches of snow in April, but these are the averages recorded in the valley where the snow gauge is located. There is much more snow on the ski slopes.
Skiing in April is an opportunity to spend much more time in the snow than in the season because the days are getting longer and there is more sun.
At the same time, the working hours of the elevators have been extended. So fun is guaranteed, and April also hosts SkiMo, a famous and fun uphill ski race.
April in Aspen is a month in which you can still ski, but other outdoor activities are also possible. Everything will depend on the weather and temperature.
Therefore, it would be a good idea to bring jeans, hiking boots, warm socks, a hat or a cap, and a scarf in addition to your winter ski clothes. If you plan to ride mountain bike trails, then bring breathable jackets.
Clothing should be layered due to possible temperature changes. The highest daily temperature in Aspen in April is 520F, and the lowest is 280F.
Arapahoe Basin in April
Arapahoe Basin is also known as “A-Basin,” “A-Bay,” or just “The Basin.”
This mountain ski resort is recommended for younger people or anyone who doesn’t expect the amenities of a resort and would rather be comfortable and informal at wintering.
In Arapahoe Basin, it is common to fire up a barbecue in the parking lot or arrange with the ski resort management to organize your party there. Dogs are welcome at A-Bay.
Due to the altitude and the ski runs on the north slopes, you can ski much longer in the Basin than at other mountain resorts in Colorado.
There is snow on the slopes, even until June and sometimes until July. There is no resort at the foot of the mountain, but Breckenridge is a thirty-minute drive away.
Cooper in April
Next to March, April is the snowiest month of the year. On mountains above 9,000 feet, it is not unusual for more than three feet of snow to fall.
In April in Cooper, the daytime high is 530F, and the average is 420F. The daytime low is 90F, and the average is 270F.
Frisco in April
What is it about Frisco that makes it worth visiting? Frisco has it all because it’s the “Main Street of the Rockies.”
Denver to Frisco is 90 minutes via I-70, and once in Frisco, you are 7 miles from Copper Mountain, 13 miles from Keystone, 13 miles from Arapahoe Basin, and 7 miles from Breckenridge.
So when you are in Frisco, all of these ski resorts are available to you, and you can go spring skiing every day at a different ski resort.
And when you’re not on the slopes, you’ll enjoy the charm of Frisco’s Main Street.
Denver in April
If you will visit Denver, visit in April because that is the best time. The temperatures are pleasant, the prices are lower, and there is much less tourist noise. Getting to know Denver in a leisurely walk around the center will be a hit.
Lower Downtown Denver will charm you with the architecture of old buildings, and the River North Arts District will open the doors of its many galleries.
If you are still trying to decide which restaurant to choose from, such a large offer, then opt for the Denver Food Tour. That way, you will get to know Denver and its restaurants.
Take a walk around City Park, and if you are in Denver on April 4th, then from the Park, continue straight to the Denver Zoo because the Carnival of the Animals with the Denver Zoo will be held there that day.
With an orchestra that will perform the work of Camus Saint-Saëns, Carnival Animals, children will mingle with animals from the Denver Zoo.
Look at the Denver Botanic Garden because something interesting is always happening there. In the coming days, attend several events organized in Denver this April.
Unseen Ocean is an exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It shows the most mysterious living creatures from the dark ocean depths. The exhibition’s authors discovered hitherto unknown habitats using the most modern technology. The exhibition will be opened on April 9th.
Ballet MasterWorks will start on April 14th and will last until April 23rd. Accompanied by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, the season’s closing will be marked with this grand finale.
The play Anastasia will be performed from April 14th to 16th. From the creators of the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic “Ragtime” comes this play about a young woman who bravely uncovers the mystery of her past.
The Music of Pink Floyd with the Colorado Symphony is a concert that will take place on April 15th in Denver. A conductor is Brent Havens. 17 Pink Floyd tunes will be performed at the concert.
Breckenridge in April
Only Arapahoe Basin can be skied longer than Breckenridge. The ski season starts in November and lasts until the end of May.
Therefore, April may be the best time to visit Breckenridge. In addition to skiing, a lot is happening in the city, and the temperature is much more pleasant, even though April is one of the months with the most snow.
Why is Breckenridge the perfect mountain town? Because it is surrounded by five mountain peaks, on the slopes of which there are 2,908 hectares of organized ski resorts, four terrain parks, and 187 ski trails. The Breckenridge Cable Car is the tallest in North America.
It’s best to ski in the morning until the fresh snow melts, as the average temperature is 44.30F, and later go to some entertainment, many of which are in Breckenridge.
It takes one hour and forty-five minutes, via I-70 and Highway 9, to get from Denver to Breckenridge.
Boulder in April
If you visit Boulder in April, prepare for a great party with lots of music, dancing, art, and exclusive tastings.
The second week of April in Boulder will be filled with exhibitions, performances, theater, dance, and music as Boulder Arts Week kicks off from the 7th to the 15th.
Traditionally, the Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival will be held on April 23rd, marking the arrival of spring in downtown Boulder.
Pearl Street Mall will be decorated with more than 15,000 tulips. In addition to the merry parade of fairies and elves, the festival will include live performances and lots of entertainment for children.
First Sip will be organized from April 26th to 30th. The main star of the event is Boulder’s exceptional Beverage Scene. Local restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries will handle exclusive tastings. It will be hot in “The Napa Valley of Beer.”
The Bluebird Music Festival will be held for the fifth time. Traditionally, there will be an evening performance every day and a slightly more casual String & Stories in the afternoon.
The festival starts with Ben Harper and Watchhouse at CU Boulder’s Macky Auditorium on April 29th and runs through April 30th.
This year’s Bluebird Music Festival will feature Jim James, Colin Meloy, Margo Price, Jade Bird, Langhorne Slim, and the Lone Bellow.
April in Boulder is a cool spring month with the most snowfall. The highest average temperature is 320F, and the lowest is 30.70F.
But as fresh as it is, Boulder will also be hot this festival in April due to the heated atmosphere!
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in April
Rocky Mountain National Park is located 55 miles from Denver. This Park is notable for its 60 mountains and peaks above 14,000 feet and 150 subalpine and alpine lakes.
The Park is divided into five regions: Moose and big meadows, Alpine region, Wilderness, Heart of the Park, and Waterfalls and backcountry.
The snow cover at higher altitudes in Rocky Mountain National Park will begin to melt at the end of April. The rivers will suddenly fill with water during that period, and numerous waterfalls will come to life.
Trails at higher elevations remain covered in snow until the end of April, but hiking conditions can be excellent in valleys up to 9,500 feet.
Up to 3.8 inches of snow can fall in Estes Park in April and up to 16.8 inches in Grand Lake. Yet, despite so much snow, April days can be sunny, and the sky is completely clear and blue. Alpine lakes are stunning in that period.
Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in April
Near Montrose, the Gunnison River runs through a canyon. This canyon is called Black Canyon because its walls are mostly in the shade.
Compared to the Grand Canyon, it can be said that the Black Canyon is narrower and deeper.
In the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, some rocks have been discovered that are about two billion years old.
The National Park is open twenty-four hours a day. The South Rim Road has been available to vehicles since mid-April.
The average April high is 540F, and the low is 330F.
On average, April has fourteen dry days, during which there are twelve hours of sunshine per day. On average, there are four days of snow.
Of the three campgrounds in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the South Rim has the most impressive view of the 2,250-foot wall.
The canyon can also be seen from the North Rim but from a different angle, and the East Portal is located in the Curekanti recreation area.
You can hike along the canyon’s rim on the Rim Rock trail. Another trail, the Oak Flat Loop Trail, is narrow and goes over steep slopes. It is very demanding and only for experienced hikers. This path descends into the interior of the canyon.
The peregrine falcon, the fastest bird in the world, has chosen this canyon as its home. It is estimated to fly at more than 200 mph when it crashes from a height.
Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park in April
Great Sand Dunes National Park is located on the eastern rim of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. April is a month of changeable weather in this area, and often these changes are violent.
Although it is the second month with the most snowfall, there are plenty of sunny days. What is essential when visiting this national Park is to avoid windy days.
Great Sand Dunes is smaller than other national parks in Colorado. The tour can be completed in a few hours, but Sunboarding is fun and might keep you going longer.
The dunes in this Park are among the highest in North America, and the 750-foot Star Dune is the tallest in the National Park.
Visit Mesa Verde National Park in April
Spring is the perfect time to visit Mesa Verde, National Park. After the winter break, some parts of the Park are gradually opening for visitors. The average daily maximum temperature in the National Park in April is 62.60F.
However, there is a big difference between day and night temperatures, so be prepared that with the arrival of darkness, the temperature can drop as low as 28.40F.
Cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde were created in the late 1190s. They were built by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indian tribe, which the Navajo called the Anasazi. Anasazi in the Navajo language can mean either old enemies or ancient people.
Before visiting Mesa Verde National Park, you should go to the Far View Visitor Center, about 15 miles from the entrance.
Mesa Verde National Park includes almost 5,000 archaeological sites, 600 on the cliffs.
Cliff Palace, Long House, Mug House, Square Tower House, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House are the most famous buildings in the National Park.
Cliff Palace and Long House are the largest, with 150 rooms. Balcony House has 45 rooms, and Spruce Tree House has 130.
The Cliff Palace had colorful murals on the walls. Near the stream on Wetherill Mesa are the Long House and the Mug House. They are reached by steps carved into the rock.
At Chapin Mesa, twenty miles from the entrance to the National Park is the Mesa Verde Museum. The exhibits consist of items that were found at archaeological sites.
Visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in April
In the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, most monuments belong to the culture of the ancient Pueblo people. It is located near Dolores and Cortez, nineteen miles from Mesa Verde National Park.
On an area of 164,000 hectares, there are 6,300 archaeological sites, which date back to before the ancient Pueblo people began to build their settlements on the cliffs.
Lowry Pueblo is Canyons of the Ancients National Monument’s biggest attraction.
This large house has 40 rooms and a large, well-preserved ceremonial kiva. In Dolores, there is a museum with exhibits that give an idea of the way of life of the ancient Pueblo people.
Go on the dinosaur trail in April
Visit Dinosaur National Monument in April
Dinosaur National Monument is located on the northwest rim of Colorado in the Yampa River Canyon.
Dinosaur remains can be found in the red rocks of the cliffs. In the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall, 1,500 fossils are displayed in the rocks in which they were found.
Visit Garden Park Fossil Area in April
The Garden Park Fossil Area has been where fossils have been discovered for 130 years. It is located next to Canyon City.
Next to the trails, there are interactive displays with explanations about the earlier excavations and the fossils found.
Visit Picketwire Canyonlands in April
Picketwire Canyonlands is a rugged, deep canyon located south of La Junta.
These canyon regions are the largest dinosaur sites in North America. Along the Purgatory River, more than 1,300 Jurassic dinosaur footprints are exposed in layers of limestone.
April in La Junta is a pleasant spring month, with an average high of 67.30F and a low of 450F.
On average, it rains nine days, and snow is possible only on 1.5 days. Therefore, the average day length is 13 hours and 13 minutes, of which 10.6 hours are sunny.
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in April
At the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the paleontology exhibit Prehistoric Journey exhibits skeletons of Iguanodon, Mantellisaurus, Edmontosaurus, Triceraptors, Scolosaurus, and Stegosaurus, among others.
An interactive battle between a Stegosaurus and an 80-foot-long Diplodocus is interesting.
Visit Dinosaur Ridge in April
Dinosaur Ridge is located near Morrison and is one of the most famous sites of its kind in the world. Among the hundreds of dinosaur prints on the reef are mostly Iguanodon-like footprints.
The footprints were discovered in 1937 during the construction of the Alameda Parkway. In addition, fossils of Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, Allosaurus, and Apatosaurus have been found at Dinosaur Ridge.
Visit the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in April
The Rocky Mountain, Dinosaur Resource Center, is located in Woodland Park.
Fossils displayed here are mostly from North America’s Late Cretaceous period: dinosaurs, marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and fish. The museum has a laboratory for the preparation of fossils.
Visit Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in April
Thanks to the volcanic eruptions that buried the valley in the late Eocene, this area is rich in fossils.
At Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, you won’t find dinosaur fossils but giant, petrified redwoods and ancient insects and plants fossils.
The national monument is near Cripple Creek and Colorado Springs, west of Pikes Peak.
Visit Dinosaur Journey Museum in April
The Dinosaur Journey Museum is located in Fruita. Over 1,500 fossils, skeleton casts, and dinosaur reconstructions are on display.
Among the fossils are fossils of Apatosaurus and Allosaurus, and robotic reconstructions of Utahraptor, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Stegosaurus are also presented—life-size casts of Allosaurus, Velociraptor, Mymoorapelt, Stegosaurus, Camarasaurus, Othnielia, and Camptosaurus.
Visit the Royal George Dinosaur Experience in April
The Royal George Dinosaur Experience is located near Canon City, an hour from Colorado Springs, and just 4.5 miles from the highest suspension bridge in the United States, the Royal George Bridge.
The bridge is 956 feet above the Arkansas River that runs through the gorge.
On both sides of the bridge is an amusement park where visitors can ride gondolas, zip lines, and the Royal Rush Skycoaster.
The Royal George Dinosaur Experience occupies 16,000 square feet. Life-size casts of dinosaurs, as well as real dinosaur fossils, are on display.
More destinations to discover:
