Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 49/100 · #4 of 12 months
March is peak season — the 8th-busiest month of the year, at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 79% of the December peak (119,145 average visits). Weather: highs average 73°F and lows 57°F, with 22.9″ of precipitation and 12 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Planning Hawaiʻi Volcanoes? Pack a guidebook: Moon Best of Big Island of Hawaii on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases
Bring for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 22.9″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Waterproof bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: 22.9″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
Affiliate links: VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Prices can change; Amazon shows the current one.
Crowds in March
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes averages 119,145 recreation visits in March — 79% of what December, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are pleasant (highs average 73°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 57°F). This is one of the wetter months (22.9″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 12 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US (8 mi from park coordinates, 2,200 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.
What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Rain shell + pack cover — 22.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 22.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.
Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best month for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is April.
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
Is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes crowded in March?
Yes — March runs 79% of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes's peak, averaging 119,145 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes.
What is the weather like in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March?
Average highs of 73°F, lows of 57°F, 22.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US station). Compare it with other national parks in March.
What should I pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March?
Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in April instead? Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in April has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-24