BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN MARCH
Table of Contents
NATIONAL PARKS IN MARCH
All things considered, March can be a great month to visit national parks since it gives you the chance to take in the splendor of the areas as they change from winter to spring. Just make sure that you check the weather and road conditions ahead of time and pack accordingly for a variety of conditions.
BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN MARCH
- LOCATION: Utah
- TEMPERATURES: 63°F / 38°F with low chance of rain
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:25AM/7:30PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Low crowd; Warmer weather.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hiking (Delicate Arch Trail, Park Avenue Trail, Double, Turret and Windows Arch Trail, and/or if you want to be more adventurous, hike Devils Garden Trail); Visit Balanced Rock and Fiery Furnace; Camping; Stargazing.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-2 Days
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
- LOCATION: Utah
- WEATHER: 54°F / 33°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:25AM / 7:30 PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Warmer weather which is perfect for outdoor activites; Low crowd.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hiking (Below the rim of the Island of the Sky; Mesa Arch Trail especially to watch sunrise; Trails at The Needles section of the Park); Scenic drives and stop at overlooks on Island in the Sky; Adventurous 4AWD drive on Shafer Canyon and/or White Rim Road; Cycling; Camping; Stargazing.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-2 days.
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
- LOCATION: Utah
- TEMPERATURES: 56°F / 32°F with low chance of rain
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:35 AM / 7:40 PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Warmer weather; Low Crowd
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Road tours (16-mile round-trip drive along Scenic Drive; Grand Wash Road; Capitol Gorge Road and/or go for 4AWD road adventure on Cathedral Valley Road); Hiking (Hickman Bridge Trail; Cassidy Arch Trail, etc.); Stargazing; Canyoneering; Rock Climbing; Horseback riding; Biking Camping; Sunset at Sunset Point; Backpacking.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-3 days
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
- LOCATION: Utah
- WEATHER: 48°F / 22°F
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:35 AM / 7:40PM with chance of snow especially in the beginning of the month.
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN FEBRUARY: Warmer weather with a chance of seeing the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon dusting with snow.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Go for a scenic drive and stop at viewpoints such as Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, etc.; Walk the Rim Rail; Hiking (Queens Garden & Navajo Loop Trail; Fairyland Loop Trail); Cycling; Horseback riding; Stargazing.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 DAY
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: California
- WEATHER: 67°F / 37°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:10 AM / 7:12 PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: To enjoy wildflower bloom; Pleasant weather
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hike (High Peaks Loop; Bear Gulch Cave Trail); Explore Balconies Cave (West) and/or Bear Gulch Cave (East); Camping; Rock Climbing; Go birdwatching from the California Condor to the Acorn Woodpecker; Visit Condor Gulch Overlook and enjoy the view from there.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-2 DAY
- NOTE: There are two distinct entrances to Pinnacles National Park, which are situated apart. Make appropriate plans based on what you want to see.
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
BIG BEN NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Texas
- WEATHER: 75°F / 45°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 8:00 AM / 7:55PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Good weather; Low crowd.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Scenic driving (Maxwell Scenic Drive); Hiking (Lost Mine Trail; Santa Elena Canyon Trail; Balanced Rock Trail; Emory Peak Trail); Camping; Backpacking; Mountain biking; Horseback riding; Bird watching; Wildlife observation; Soak in hot spring; Stargazing; Join a ranger program; Half-day to multi day floats by raft, canoe, or kayak on Rio Grande.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-3 days
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
GUADALUPE NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Texas
- WEATHER: 62°F / 41°F with low chance of rain. However, there might be high winds on some days which could effect outdoor activities. Check the weather before you head out here.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:08AM/7:12PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather despite high winds on some days; Low crowds especially starting of March before the Spring Break crowds come; Starting of wildflower bloom.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hiking (Guadalupe Peak Trail, Devil’s Hall Trail, the Bowl Trail, the Permian Reef Trail or the McKittrick Canyon Trail leading to the Grotto; Horseback Riding; Backpacking; Explore Salt Basin Dune, El Capitan Lookout and/or Dog Canyon.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-3 days
- NOTE: You have to hike to enjoy this park because you can’t really see anything from the car. In other words, you’ll miss out on some of the park’s best sites if you’re not ready to hike.
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Florida
- WEATHER: 78°F / 65°F. Water temperature is around 77°F
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather and warmer water temperature for water activities.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Snorkeling/Scuba diving (Maritime Heritage Trail and/or Fowey Rocks Lighthouse); Go for sightseeing boat tours; Kayaking/Paddle boarding (Jones Lagoon and/or Stiltsville); Kiteboarding; Explore Boca Chita Key and/or Elliott Key.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 DAY
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: New Mexico
- TEMPERATURES: 71°F / 32°F with low chance of rain
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:20AM / 7:15PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant temperature
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Sand Sledding; Join Ranger Program such as Sunset Stroll DETAILS; Picnicking maybe at the canopied picnic tables and grills available throughout the park; Photography; Scenic Drive on the 8-mile Dunes Drive; Cycling; Backcountry Camping; Hiking (Dune Life Nature Trail or go for the more adventurous Alkali Flat Trail).
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 DAY
- NOTE: Crowd most probably at high in March especially during Spring Break. So, plan to visit this Park early March to avoid Spring Break crowds, if possible if you want to avoid high traffic of visitors.
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
ZION NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Utah
- WEATHER: 65 °F /38 °F. March is a transition from Winter to Spring weather, so the weather can vary significantly through out the day. Thus, dressed in layers is recommended.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: Before daylight saving time 6:55AM / 6:30PM. After daylight saving time: 7:33 AM/7:45PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather; Starting of wildflower bloom; Crowd is increasing now the weather is warmer especially during Spring Break. Plan to visit the park early March to avoid the Spring Break crowds, if possible.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hiking (the Angels Landing; the Narrows); Camping; Stargazing; Horseback riding; Biking; Birdwatching; Backpacking.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1-3 days
- NOTE: In order to do certain outdoor activities such as hiking Angels Landing, hiking the Subway, and a few others, you will need to reserve and get a permit. DETAILS & MAKE RESERVATION HERE
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: New Mexico
- WEATHER: 72°F / 47°F.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:20AM / 5:58PM (Before Daylight Saving Time); 7:00AM/7:10PM (After Daylight Saving Time).
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Low crowds; Pleasant weather; Return of the Brazilian free-tailed bats; Start of wildflower bloom.
- OTHER TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Explore the caverns (either take a ranger-led tour or explore the caverns on your own); Go for a scenic drive; Hike a surface trail; Go stargazing.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 day
- NOTE: Time Entry Reservation is required to enter Carlsbad Caverns. PURCHASE HERE
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Florida
- WEATHER: 66°F / 78°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:50AM / 6:35PM (Before Daylight Saving Time); 7:35AM / 7:45PM (After Daylight Saving Time).
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather with the hurricane season still a few months away.
- TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Take a stroll around Bush Key, go swimming or snorkeling, and explore Fort Jefferson.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: Half day to 2 days
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
- LOCATION: Florida
- WEATHER: 65°F / 80°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:40AM / 6:30PM (Before daylight saving time); 7:25 PM/7:35PM (After daylight saving time)
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather for outdoor activities.
- TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Bike through Shark Valley; Stroll the boardwalk route at Mahogany Hammock; Go for a kayaking trip; Walk the Anhinga trail; Visit the Flamingo Visitor Center to see if you can spot manatees or crocodiles.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 DAY
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
- LOCATION: California
- WEATHER: 74°F / 43°F with low chance of rain.
- SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:30AM / 6:25PM
- TOP REASON TO VISIT IN MARCH: Pleasant weather for outdoor activities. However, the crowd tends to be higher this month especially during Spring Break. If possible, try to plan to visit this park in early March or if start your day early at the park to bit the crowd.
- TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Hiking; Backpacking; Stargazing; Camping; Scenic Drives; Climbing; Starting of wildflowers bloom.
- LENGTH OF VISIT: 1 DAY
- MORE INFO: VISIT HERE
MAP OF BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN MARCH
Using This Map: To access the layers (driving routes and places to go), click the tab located in the upper left corner of the map. To reveal or conceal layers, click the checkboxes. You may learn more about each point of interest on the map by clicking on the icons. This map will be added to your Google Maps account if you click the star next to the map’s title. Open Google Maps on your computer or phone, select “Your Places” from the menu, then click Maps. This map will appear on your list.
MARCH NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP SUGGESTIONS
UTAH'S MIGHTY 5 ROAD TRIP
HIGHLIGHTS: Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks.
ITINERARIES:
TEXAS & NEW MEXICO ROAD TRIP (Coming Soon)
HIGHLIGHTS: Santa Fe, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands.
ITINERARY:
- 10-DAY NEW MEXICO & TEXAS ITINERARY
FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP (Coming Soon)
HIGHLIGHTS: Everglades, Dry Tortugas, Biscayne, Miami.
ITINERARY:
- 7-DAY ITINERARY
- 8-DAY ITINERARY
- 9-DAY ITINERARY
- 10-DAY ITINERARY