Bryce Nat. Park, Glen Cyn. Nat. Rec. Area/ Badlands Nat. Pk.

My bad. I guess I should have been more clear.
Maybe this is more of a weather issue. Would it be better to do Bryce early April this year and South Dakota late April next year or vice-a-versa?
We have done pretty all the national parks in Utah, some several times but Bryce only once and for too short a time.
Cold weather, snow is no problem, actually hoping for it.
We love to hike and explore 4x4 roads.
We do not plan on renting a boat at GCNRA.
Length of trip probably 3 or 4 weeks. Depends on how long I can fool DH into thinking we have only been there a day or so.
We have never been to South Dakota.

Sherry

Since you appear to be the outdoors type this comment may not be as relevant; but I have found that going north before Memorial Day there are many museums and the like that are either closed or only open on certain days. This also applies to some RV parks.

I don't know why Badlands NP would be out in April. If that area gets snow that time of year, it doesn't last long. Even up here in the northern Hills, snows aren't long lasting.

Just a little primer on our normal weather patterns. The Badlands are much more arid than the Black Hills. The southern Hills are much warmer and get less snow than the northern Hills. That is the reason all the snowmobile trails are here in the northern Hills.

Back on topic, All of the areas you are looking at are good, although I haven't been to Glen Canyon I have heard good things about it. I personally would choose Bryce, but I have an affection for that area. That being said, I do go camping at both Wind Cave and Badlands NP every year.

You've picked three very disconnected parks. Any reason that you wouldn't do more around the same area?

That time of year Badlands is out. Driving all that distance just to do Badlands?

Glen Canyon is nice to see but unless you rent a big boat there isn't that much to do except Antelope Canyon tour.

Bryce will be cold that early.

If you haven't been, I'd recommend Grand Canyon South Rim and Zion.

Arches NP would be another nice park for that time of year but check when the Jeep Jamboree is this year as it will be busy. From Arches you can check out Canyonlands and Monument Valley.

How much time do you have for the trip?

Lots of choices!

While waiting I'd search for each in this Forum for previous posts.

derouen6 wrote:
We leave the day after Easter for our annual spring trip. Which of the above should we do this year? We will do the other next year again departing the day after Easter which is 3 weeks later in 2019. Opinions please. Thank you.

Sherry

How long are planning to be traveling?

Bryce if good weather. Not the Badlands but the Black Hills (Custer State Park, Rushmore, Needles Highway) would be a good alternative. My opinion of course, but we have been to both.

I think I'd go south. We were in southern Utah from mid May until early June last year and had a dusting of snow while camped at Comb Wash plus needed a campfire most nights to sit outside. Making the same trip again this year but arriving a couple of weeks later. Being a southern boy, I'd rather sweat than shake.

We were in Badlands in the Fall of 2016. Don't know if you'd want to take your rig over ten miles of gravel road but we really enjoyed camping at Sage Creek within the Park.

I would base my choices on weather conditions at your possible destinations just before heading out.
I've been to Bryce in March and seen both snow, or deep red mud, on the trails into the canyon. If it's in a thaw situation there, you probably won't want to do much hiking on them. They're messy.
Badlands might be too far north in April. I have little experience there in early Spring.
Glen Canyon Rec Area might be your best bet. Lake Powell RA might be in good shape.

Bryce is in our top 10 list, Badlands doesn't seem to get a lot of good reviews but we spent a whole week there hiking the trails and visiting nearby attractions. We enjoyed it, but that was the summer of what passes for extreme rainfall for that area, so it was not typically what you'll see.

Be warned that April 2nd is very early to be heading out there, I saw a national snow cover map yesterday and IIRC SD was covered. You can expect snow at any time that early in the high altitude parks (Bryce is up to 8000 ft) and the northern parks. Glen Canyon is mainly a boating park with almost no road access. It is lower altitude so snow may be less likely. I assume you can rent boats unless you are dragging a boat all the way from LA.