Looking for the perfect nationwide parks to go to in March?
March is certainly one of our favourite instances to go to National Parks to catch the wildflowers. We’re excitedly awaiting tremendous bloom within the desert since we had a wetter winter this yr. The climate can be delicate at many nationwide parks, making it nice for climbing and climbing.
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Last Updated: February 8, 2023
Before we get into it, we need to remind everybody to discover the parks responsibly utilizing the 7 Leave no Trace Principles. Have a plan, keep on established trails, perform something you carry in, go away what you discover, reduce campfire impression, respect wildlife, and be thoughtful of others.
About the National Park by month Series
To put collectively this record, we’ve mixed our private experiences and ideas we gathered from locals and cross-referenced them with the climate, accessibility, native boards, seasonal sights like fall foliage or wildflowers, and particular occasions taking place within the space. We additionally thought of any distinctive adventures solely supplied at sure instances of the yr to search out probably the most optimum months to go to every National Park. Phew! that was loads!
It took me an entire week of analysis, however since I’m a maximizer, it was fully price having a year-round calendar of adventures (publishing that quickly!). Also, take a look at our full record of all of the nationwide parks and all nationwide park models that embody soon-to-be nationwide parks.
We additionally selected to not embody the hardest-to-access nationwide parks in Alaska and those in U.S. territories on this collection.
National Parks By Month – Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Is March a Good Time to Visit National Parks?
Yes! If you’re not choosy about visiting a particular nationwide park, you possibly can at all times discover a park to discover any time of yr. March is a good time to go to parks when they’re quieter, and we love the parks like White Sands, that are scorching scorching in the summertime.
Plan on visiting greater than two nationwide parks this yr? Pick up an America the Beautiful annual cross to economize (entrance charges to every park are, on common, $30-35 per car). Plus, you might be serving to help the Parks that at all times want funding.
7 Best National Parks to Visit in March
1. Great Smoky Mountain National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
2 Everett St, Bryson City, NC 28713, map
Average Temperatures: 54°F / 27°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 7:19 AM / 7:15 PM
Why Visit: March brings delicate temperatures and decrease humidity, making it a good time to hike. Wildflowers begin blooming, and animals come out of hibernation. On high of that, March is the shoulder season, so it’ll be much less busy. If you’re going for wildflowers, April is usually higher, and so they host their annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Camping, Scenic Drives, Biking, Wildflowers
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Wildlife – Elk, Black Bears, Bobcats, Whitetail Deer, Coyote, Pygmy Shrew
- How many days do you want? 2-4
Pro Tip: To keep away from crowds, get out of the automobile and take longer hikes. You’ll nonetheless see individuals, however they are going to be a lot fewer than simple to get to spots.
See Related – 11 Can’t Miss Things to Do in Pigeon Forge TN
2. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
400 Pine Canyon Dr, Salt Flat, TX 79847, map
Average Temperatures: 53°F / 30°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:44 AM / 6:39 PM
Why Visit: Wildflower season begins in March in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The climate is great for climbing, too, and you’ll preserve your eyes out for wildlife popping out of hibernation.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Backpacking, Scenic Drives, Horseback Riding
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Smith Spring Trail, Devil’s Hall Trail, McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak Trail
- Wildlife – Coyote, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, Badger, Texas Banded Gecko, Bats, Javelinas, Jackrabbits, Rattlesnake
- How many days do you want? 1-3
Pro Tip: Be ready to hike; in any other case, you’ll miss out on the perfect spots within the park.
See Related – 11 Breathtaking Canyons within the US You Can’t Miss
3. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
629 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, map
Average Temperatures: 64°F / 40°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:58 AM / 5:54 PM
Why Visit: Although winter is the perfect time to make the most of the nice and cozy springs, March continues to be a good time to go to. The climate continues to be cool sufficient to soak and heat sufficient to discover the paths and altering seasons.
Best For / Top Activities: Soaking in Springs, Hiking, Birdwatching, Scenic Drives
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Buckstaff Bathhouse, Quapaw Bathhouse, The Display Spring, Hot Water Cascade
- Wildlife – White-Tailed Deer, Groundhog, Black Bear, Bats, Song Birds
- How many days do you want? 1-3
Pro Tip: You can solely soak within the two bathhouses, not the outside thermal springs.
4. Joshua Tree National Park, Californiaㅤ→
6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, map
Average Temperatures: 74°F / 43°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:29 AM / 6:24 PM
Why Visit: March is the final good month to go mountain climbing in Joshua Tree. Starting in April, it’s approach too scorching. For those that don’t climb, the park is much less fascinating than different nationwide parks, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price visiting as soon as. Plus, you might catch wildflowers in March!
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Backpacking, Stargazing, Camping, Scenic Drives, Climbing
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Halls of Horror, Skull Rock
- Wildlife – Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Gray Fox, Desert Kit Fox, Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep, Desert Cottontail
- How many days do you want? 1 or 2-3 for those who climb
Pro Tip: Campgrounds replenish shortly throughout cooler climate.
See Related – 11 Amazing Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
5. Pinnacles National Park, California
5000 CA-146, Paicines, CA 95043, map
Average Temperatures: 65°F / 35°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:57 AM / 5:47 PM
Why Visit: Pinnacles National Park is way more in style through the cooler months since summer time is so scorching. March is a good time to hike, rock climb, see wildlife, and see the blooming wildflowers. Although it’s a busier time, the general park visitation is manageable because it’s one of many lesser-known National Parks within the US.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Wildlife Viewing, Camping
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Talus Cave, Bear Guild, Balconies Cave, Rim Trail Loop, High Peaks Loop
- Wildlife – Canyon Bats, Mountain Lions, Condors, Feral Pig, Bobcat, Gray Fox, Ringtail
- How many days do you want? 1-3
Pro Tip: Pinnacles National Park has two separate entrances removed from one another. Plan accordingly primarily based on what you need to see!
6. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
1 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785, map
Average Temperatures: 67°F / 50°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:28 AM / 6:30 PM
Why Visit: While it nonetheless could also be chilly in many of the US, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is heat year-round. March is an particularly nice time to go to to see the energetic volcanoes. It’s additionally much less crowded because it’s shoulder season.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Scenic Drives, Stargazing
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Lava Flow, Kilauea Iki Trail, Thurston Lava Tube, Crater Rim Drive, Mauna Loa
- Wildlife – Hawaiian Hoary Bat, Hawksbill Turtles, Green Sea Turtles, Hawaiian Monk Seal
- How many days do you want? 2-4
Local Tip: Check the web site and customer middle for up to date eruption viewing information.
7. White Sands National Park, New Mexico →
19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310, map
Average Temperatures: 71°F / 32°F
Average Sunrise / Sunset Times: 6:49 AM / 5:49 PM
Why Visit: Warm days and funky nights make March a good time to go to White Sands. March is shoulder season, which suggests fewer guests.
Best For / Top Activities: Hiking, Bicycling, Backcountry Camping, Photography, Stargazing, Sledding
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Sledding, Dune Life Nature Trail, Alkali Flat Trail, Playa Trail
- Wildlife – American Badger, Apache Pocket Mouse, Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, Bobcat, Coyote, Kit Fox
- How many days do you want? 1-3
Pro Tip: Check for path markers because it’s simple to really feel disoriented on dunes. We received misplaced and needed to discover our approach again utilizing the course of the sundown.
See Related – 5 Incredible Things to Do at White Sands National Park
Map of the Best National Parks to Visit in March
Want to See More National Parks to Visit in March?
If you’re a nationwide park lover like us and have carried out most of the above, listed below are some extra concepts for National Parks to go to in March. While March might not be the highest two months of the yr to go to these parks, they’re nonetheless price a go to.
Tips for Visiting the Best National Parks in March
- Explore the parks responsibly utilizing the Leave no Trace ideas. Stay on established trails, perform something you carry in, and so on. Please learn by means of it, and assist us defend the parks.
- Pick up the National Park Annual Pass for those who plan on visiting a number of parks inside the yr. It saves you some huge cash. We at all times get one.
- Download Alltrails+ and offline google maps so you possibly can have path maps offline.
- Want to see wildflowers? We sometimes go onto the geotag on Instagram or Tiktok and scroll by means of all of the latest posts to see what it’s trying like. Keep in thoughts that folks put up older content material, so I like to have a look at the grid or ones that non-influencers are posting. You may also go away a remark and ask after they went.
- It’s at all times a good suggestion to pack layers wherever you go. Some parks are heat through the day and funky at night time. Pay consideration to the elevation change too! Some parks shall be heat on the valley ground and chilly at greater elevations.
- You may have a reservation. See nationwide parks that now require reservations right here.
- Always verify the park’s web site and Visitors Center for probably the most up-to-date data on closures.
- Remember that wildlife is wild. Be conversant in learn how to work together with animals and the way a lot house it’s best to have between you and them.
What to Pack
How you’ll pack depends upon which park you go to and the actions you intend, however here’s a normal information on gadgets we at all times attempt to pack.
FAQs
Is Zion National park chilly in March?
The days are heat, however the nights are chilly in March. Layers shall be key to staying snug all through the day.
Is March an excellent time to go to Rocky Mountain National Park?
If you want snow, March is the snowiest month in RMNP. The climate shall be milder than in January and February, making it a good time to snowshoe, ice skate, and sled.
Is March an excellent time to go to Utah National Parks?
March is a good time to go to Utah National Parks since daytime temperatures shall be hotter and night time instances received’t be as frigid. Crowds will begin to choose up because the climate will get higher.
How is Bryce Canyon in March? How heat is Bryce Canyon in March?
Bryce Canyon continues to be chilly in March, with common highs of 45°F and lows of 23°F. It will even be snowy, with a mean accumulation of 17 inches.
What is Grand Canyon like in March?
March within the Grand Canyon continues to be cool, with common excessive temperatures of 55°F and lows of twenty-two°F on the South Rim.
Can you hike Zion in March?
Yes! Although there could also be some snow and ice so sure trails shall be extra accessible than others.
What is the toughest nationwide park to go to?
The hardest National Park to go to is Gates of the Arctic National Park. There are not any roads or trails, and you’ll solely attain the park by way of aircraft or foot.
What is probably the most unpopular nationwide park?
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is probably the most unpopular nationwide park as a result of it’s the least accessible.
What is the two most-visited nationwide park?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park received 14.1 million guests in 2021, with Zion National Park coming in second at simply over 5 million guests. See the full record of most to least visited nationwide parks.
Recap of the 7 Best National Parks to Visit in March
March is a gorgeous time to discover the National Parks. Here is a recap of the perfect nationwide parks to go to in March.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Hot Springs National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- White Sands National Park
National Parks By Month – Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Can you consider others that belong on this record of finest National Parks to go to in March? Which ones are we lacking?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of many high 5 journey blogs within the US. They imagine that journey will be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover domestically. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and presently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow alongside on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTookay, and Pinterest.