Yellowstone in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 38/100 · #8 of 12 months

March is a quiet month with trade-offs at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (33,479 average visits). Weather: highs average 35°F and lows 8°F, with 1.9″ of precipitation and 11.9 hours of daylight. Headline access is typically closed this month — see the access warning below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Yellowstone in March

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 8°F.
Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).
Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.

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Access warning: Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. That typically affects March — verify before planning. Current NPS conditions →

Yellowstone in March: what the park service says

March is one of Yellowstone's least busy months, the park says. Winter continues, but longer days bring gradual warming, and Mammoth Hot Springs, at 6,200 feet, averages 42°F in the afternoon while Yellowstone Lake stays near 36°F. Grizzly bears begin leaving their dens, bluebirds, meadowlarks and ospreys start arriving, and wolves can be spotted in Lamar Valley. Oversnow routes start closing for spring plowing.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Yellowstone National Park — photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in March

Yellowstone averages 33,479 recreation visits in March — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the second-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (March)

33,479 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

under 1% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 35°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 8°F). It is typically dry (1.9″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 11.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.

What to pack for Yellowstone in March

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 8°F
Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone crowded in March?

No — March is one of the quieter months: 4% of the July peak, averaging 33,479 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in March?

Average highs of 35°F, lows of 8°F, 1.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in March.

What should I pack for Yellowstone in March?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit; Bear spray — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in April instead? Yellowstone in April has its own list.

Is everything open at Yellowstone in March?

Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. 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