On the lookout for the most effective nationwide parks to go to in March?
March is one in every of our favourite instances to go to Nationwide 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 gentle at many nationwide parks, making it nice for mountain climbing and climbing.
Final Up to date: January 26, 2024
Earlier than we get into it, we wish to remind everybody to discover the parks responsibly utilizing the 7 Go away No Hint Ideas. Have a plan, keep on established trails, perform something you carry in, depart what you discover, reduce campfire influence, respect wildlife, and be thoughtful of others.
In regards to the Nationwide Park by month Collection
To place collectively this checklist, we’ve mixed our private experiences and suggestions we gathered from locals and cross-referenced them with the climate, accessibility, native boards, seasonal sights like fall foliage or wildflowers, and particular occasions occurring within the space. We additionally thought-about any distinctive adventures solely supplied at sure instances of the yr to search out essentially the most optimum months to go to every Nationwide Park. Phew! that was rather a lot!
It took me a complete week of analysis, however since I’m a maximizer, it was utterly price having a year-round calendar of adventures (publishing that quickly!). Additionally, take a look at our full checklist 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 sequence.
Nationwide Parks By Month: Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Might | Jun | Jul
Is March a Good Time to Go to Nationwide Parks?
Sure! For those who’re not choosy about visiting a selected nationwide park, you possibly can all the time 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? Decide up an America the Stunning annual go to save cash (entrance charges to every park are, on common, $30-35 per automobile). Plus, you might be serving to assist the Parks that all the time want funding.
7 Greatest Nationwide Parks to Go to in March
1. Nice Smoky Mountain Nationwide Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
2 Everett St, Bryson Metropolis, NC 28713, map
Common Temperatures: 54°F / 27°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 7:19 AM / 7:15 PM
Why Go to: March brings gentle temperatures and decrease humidity, making it a good time to hike. Wildflowers begin blooming, and animals come out of hibernation. On prime of that, March is the shoulder season, so it’ll be much less busy. For those who’re going for wildflowers, April is often higher, they usually host their annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Tenting, Scenic Drives, Biking, Wildflowers
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Path, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Wildlife – Elk, Black Bears, Bobcats, Whitetail Deer, Coyote, Pygmy Shrew
- What number of days do you want? 2-4
Professional Tip: To keep away from crowds, get out of the automobile and take longer hikes. You’ll nonetheless see folks, however they are going to be a lot fewer than straightforward to get to spots.
See Extra: 11 Can’t Miss Issues to Do in Pigeon Forge TN
2. Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park, Texas
400 Pine Canyon Dr, Salt Flat, TX 79847, map
Common Temperatures: 53°F / 30°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:44 AM / 6:39 PM
Why Go to: Wildflower season begins in March in Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park. The climate is superb for mountain climbing, too, and you may maintain your eyes out for wildlife popping out of hibernation.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Backpacking, Scenic Drives, Horseback Driving
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Smith Spring Path, Satan’s Corridor Path, McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak Path
- Wildlife – Coyote, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, Badger, Texas Banded Gecko, Bats, Javelinas, Jackrabbits, Rattlesnake
- What number of days do you want? 1-3
Professional Tip: Be ready to hike; in any other case, you’ll miss out on the most effective spots within the park.
See Extra: 11 Breathtaking Canyons within the US You Can’t Miss
3. Scorching Springs Nationwide Park, Arkansas
629 Central Ave, Scorching Springs Nationwide Park, AR 71901, map
Common Temperatures: 64°F / 40°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:58 AM / 5:54 PM
Why Go to: Though winter is the most effective time to benefit from 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.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Soaking in Springs, Mountain climbing, Birdwatching, Scenic Drives
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Buckstaff Bathhouse, Quapaw Bathhouse, The Show Spring, Scorching Water Cascade
- Wildlife – White-Tailed Deer, Groundhog, Black Bear, Bats, Music Birds
- What number of days do you want? 1-3
Professional Tip: You possibly can solely soak within the two bathhouses, not the outside thermal springs.
4. Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, California →
6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, map
Common Temperatures: 74°F / 43°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:29 AM / 6:24 PM
Why Go to: March is the final good month to go mountaineering in Joshua Tree. Beginning in April, it’s means too scorching. For individuals who don’t climb, the park is much less fascinating than different nationwide parks, however it’s nonetheless price visiting as soon as. Plus, you might catch wildflowers in March!
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Backpacking, Stargazing, Tenting, Scenic Drives, Climbing
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Backyard, Halls of Horror, Cranium Rock
- Wildlife – Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Grey Fox, Desert Package Fox, Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep, Desert Cottontail
- What number of days do you want? 1 or 2-3 in case you climb
Professional Tip: Campgrounds refill shortly throughout cooler climate.
See Extra: 11 Superb Issues to Do in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
5. Pinnacles Nationwide Park, California
5000 CA-146, Paicines, CA 95043, map
Common Temperatures: 65°F / 35°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:57 AM / 5:47 PM
Why Go to: Pinnacles Nationwide Park is way more common throughout 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. Though it’s a busier time, the general park visitation is manageable because it’s one of many lesser-known Nationwide Parks within the US.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Climbing, Wildlife Viewing, Tenting
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Talus Cave, Bear Guild, Balconies Cave, Rim Path Loop, Excessive Peaks Loop
- Wildlife – Canyon Bats, Mountain Lions, Condors, Feral Pig, Bobcat, Grey Fox, Ringtail
- What number of days do you want? 1-3
Professional Tip: Pinnacles Nationwide Park has two separate entrances removed from one another. Plan accordingly primarily based on what you wish to see!
6. Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park, Hawaii
1 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785, map
Common Temperatures: 67°F / 50°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:28 AM / 6:30 PM
Why Go to: Whereas it nonetheless could also be chilly in a lot of the US, Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide 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.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Scenic Drives, Stargazing
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Lava Stream, Kilauea Iki Path, Thurston Lava Tube, Crater Rim Drive, Mauna Loa
- Wildlife – Hawaiian Hoary Bat, Hawksbill Turtles, Inexperienced Sea Turtles, Hawaiian Monk Seal
- What number of days do you want? 2-4
Native Tip: Verify the web site and customer heart for up to date eruption viewing data.
7. White Sands Nationwide Park, New Mexico →
19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310, map
Common Temperatures: 71°F / 32°F
Common Dawn / Sundown Occasions: 6:49 AM / 5:49 PM
Why Go to: Heat days and funky nights make March a good time to go to White Sands. March is shoulder season, which suggests fewer guests.
Greatest For / Prime Actions: Mountain climbing, Bicycling, Backcountry Tenting, Images, Stargazing, Sledding
Don’t Miss:
- To Do – Sledding, Dune Life Nature Path, Alkali Flat Path, Playa Path
- Wildlife – American Badger, Apache Pocket Mouse, Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, Bobcat, Coyote, Package Fox
- What number of days do you want? 1-3
Professional Tip: Verify for path markers because it’s straightforward to really feel disoriented on dunes. We obtained misplaced and needed to discover our means again utilizing the path of the sundown.
See Extra: 5 Unimaginable Issues to Do at White Sands Nationwide Park
Map of the Greatest Nationwide Parks to Go to in March
Need to See Extra Nationwide Parks to Go to in March?
For those who’re a nationwide park lover like us and have performed most of the above, listed here are some extra concepts for Nationwide Parks to go to in March. Whereas March might not be the highest two months of the yr to go to these parks, they’re nonetheless price a go to.
Suggestions for Visiting the Greatest Nationwide Parks in March
- Discover the parks responsibly utilizing the Leave no Trace principles. Keep on established trails, perform something you carry in, and many others. Please learn by means of it, and assist us shield the parks.
- Decide up the Nationwide Park Annual Cross in case you plan on visiting a number of parks throughout the yr. It saves you some huge cash. We all the time get one.
- Obtain Alltrails+ and offline google maps so you possibly can have path maps offline.
- Need 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. Take into account that folks put up older content material, so I like to take a look at the grid or ones that non-influencers are posting. You may also depart a remark and ask after they went.
- It’s all the time a good suggestion to pack layers wherever you go. Some parks are heat throughout the day and funky at evening. Take note of the elevation change too! Some parks might be heat on the valley ground and chilly at larger elevations.
- You could want a reservation. See nationwide parks that now require reservations right here.
- At all times test the park’s web site and Guests Heart for essentially the most up-to-date info on closures.
- Do not forget that wildlife is wild. Be conversant in learn how to work together with animals and the way a lot house you must have between you and them.
What to Pack
How you’ll pack is determined by which park you go to and the actions you propose, however here’s a common information on gadgets we all the time attempt to pack.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
IS ZION NATIONAL PARK COLD IN MARCH?
The times are heat, however the nights are chilly in March. Layers might be key to staying snug all through the day.
IS MARCH A GOOD TIME TO VISIT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK?
For those who like snow, March is the snowiest month in RMNP. The climate might be milder than in January and February, making it a good time to snowshoe, ice skate, and sled.
IS MARCH A GOOD TIME TO VISIT UTAH NATIONAL PARKS?
March is a good time to go to Utah Nationwide Parks since daytime temperatures might be hotter and evening instances gained’t be as frigid. Crowds will begin to choose up because the climate will get higher.
HOW IS BRYCE CANYON IN MARCH? HOW WARM 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 would even be snowy, with a median 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?
Sure! Though there could also be some snow and ice so sure trails might be extra accessible than others.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST NATIONAL PARK TO VISIT?
The toughest Nationwide Park to go to is Gates of the Arctic Nationwide Park. There aren’t any roads or trails, and you may solely attain the park through airplane or foot.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNPOPULAR NATIONAL PARK?
Gates of the Arctic Nationwide Park and Protect is essentially the most unpopular nationwide park as a result of it’s the least accessible.
WHAT IS THE 2 MOST-VISITED NATIONAL PARK?
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park obtained 14.1 million guests in 2021, with Zion Nationwide Park coming in second at simply over 5 million guests. See the full checklist of most to least visited nationwide parks.
Recap of the 7 Greatest Nationwide Parks to Go to in March
March is a lovely time to discover the Nationwide Parks. Here’s a recap of the most effective nationwide parks to go to in March.
- Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
- Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park
- Scorching Springs Nationwide Park
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Pinnacles Nationwide Park
- Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park
- White Sands Nationwide Park
Nationwide Parks By Month: Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Might | Jun | Jul
Are you able to consider others that belong on this checklist of greatest Nationwide Parks to go to in March? Which of them are we lacking?
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Esther and Jacob are the founders of Native Adventurer, one of many prime 5 journey blogs within the US. They imagine that journey may be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover domestically. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and at the moment base themselves in Las Vegas.
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