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#3 on this list
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Dogwoods and redbuds bloom along Skyline Drive; trails reopen.
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#4 on this list
Moab
Utah
Prime desert season — warm days, cool nights, wildflowers on the mesas.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Shenandoah National Park | Moab |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains | — |
| Total Area | 197,438 acres | — |
| Highest Elevation | 4,051 feet (Hawksbill Mountain) | — |
| Scenic Highway | Skyline Drive (105 miles) | — |
| Appalachian Trail | 101 miles within park boundaries | — |
| Standard Entry | $30 per non-commercial vehicle (7-day pass) | — |
| Base Elevation | — | 4,026 feet (town of Moab) |
| April Average High | — | 73°F |
| April Average Low | — | 42°F |
| Land Managers | — | NPS, BLM, Utah State Parks |
| Dominant Rock | — | Navajo and Entrada Sandstone |
| Primary Waterway | — | Colorado River |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Shenandoah National Park
- Creeks and waterfalls roar at maximum volume fueled by seasonal rain and melt
- Open forest canopy provides sweeping valley vistas before leaf-out obscures the views
- Flowering dogwoods and redbuds frame the roadside and lower hollows in color
- Significantly smaller crowds and open parking compared to peak summer and autumn
- Unpredictable weather swings from balmy sunshine to bone-chilling fog and rain
- Old Rag Mountain requires advance planning and a specific day-use permit
- Wet mountain greenstone turns steep ascents and stream crossings hazardous
Moab
- Prime ambient temperatures for high-output hiking and slickrock riding
- Dual national park access alongside vast surrounding BLM terrain
- Spring wildflower blooms across desert washes and open canyon benches
- Substantially lower dehydration and heatstroke risk compared to summer
- Heavy April crowds create severe traffic and parking bottlenecks
- Arches timed-entry permits and Canyonlands backcountry spots book fast
- Spring windstorms routinely drive abrasive grit across exposed rim trails
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