Death Valley in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 55/100 · #6 of 12 months

March is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Death Valley National Park: crowds run 100% of the March peak (161,109 average visits). Weather: highs average 83°F and lows 57°F, with 0.3″ of precipitation and 11.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Death Valley in March: what the park service says

March falls near the end of Furnace Creek Campground's reservation season at Death Valley, which covers October 15 through April 15. After mid-April the campground leaves its reservation season. Book on recreation.gov at least two days ahead; the park's other campgrounds take no reservations and some open only part of the year, so confirm before you rely on one.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in March

March is Death Valley's busiest month — an average of 161,109 recreation visits (2021–2025), the park's crowd peak. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.

Weather & daylight

Days run warm (highs average 83°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 57°F). It is typically dry (0.3″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 11.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (1 mi from park coordinates, -194 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.

What to pack for Death Valley in March

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker) — a 25°F swing between the average low of 57°F and high of 83°F
• Sun protection and 2L+ water per person — highs average 83°F
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Death Valley are January and February.

Also at their best in March

Other parks whose computed March verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Great Basin in March — 10% of peak crowds, highs 48°F, score 81/100
• Shenandoah in March — 23% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 78/100
• Wind Cave in March — 15% of peak crowds, highs 50°F, score 78/100
• Mesa Verde in March — 17% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 77/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-24