Mount Rainier in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Harsh season · VisitWhen score 54/100 · #7 of 12 months
March is a harsh-season month at Mount Rainier National Park: crowds run 6% of the July peak (23,760 average visits). Weather: highs average 36°F and lows 24°F, with 13.2″ of precipitation and 11.8 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Mount Rainier in March
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 24°F, below freezing.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 13.2″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Waterproof bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: 13.2″ of precipitation is normal this month.
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Mount Rainier in March: what the park service says
March is still Mount Rainier's winter pattern, the park service's hours page shows: the Nisqually Entrance is the only way in by car, and the Paradise visitor center (Henry M. Jackson Memorial) opens only on weekends and holidays, when conditions allow. The Sunrise side and its visitor center stay closed until summer; the Sunrise Visitor Center is generally open from July to mid-September.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in March
Mount Rainier averages 23,760 recreation visits in March — 6% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cold (highs average 36°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 24°F). This is one of the wetter months (13.2″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11.8 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US (4 mi from park coordinates, 5,427 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.
What to pack for Mount Rainier in March
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 24°F, below freezing
- Rain shell + pack cover — 13.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 13.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Mount Rainier are May and June.
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 Mount Rainier crowded in March?
No — March is one of the quieter months: 6% of the July peak, averaging 23,760 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Mount Rainier.
What is the weather like in Mount Rainier in March?
Average highs of 36°F, lows of 24°F, 13.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in March.
What should I pack for Mount Rainier in March?
Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; 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? Mount Rainier in April has its own list.
Is everything open at Mount Rainier in March?
Sunrise and Stevens Canyon roads are typically open only July–September; the road to Paradise is plowed and open year-round (carry chains in winter). Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-24