Haleakalā in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 52/100 · #11 of 12 months
March is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Haleakalā National Park: crowds run 88% of the July peak (71,636 average visits). Weather: highs average 60°F and lows 43°F, with 5.7″ of precipitation and 12 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Haleakalā in March
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 43°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 5.7″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kitSee it on AmazonWhy: 5.7″ of rain is normal this month.
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Crowds in March
Haleakalā averages 71,636 recreation visits in March — 88% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 60°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 43°F). This is one of the wetter months (5.7″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 12 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station HALEAKALA RS 338, HI US (7 mi from park coordinates, 6,962 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.
What to pack for Haleakalā in March
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 43°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.7″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.7″ of rain is normal this month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Haleakalā are April and August.
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 Haleakalā crowded in March?
Yes — March runs 88% of Haleakalā's peak, averaging 71,636 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Haleakalā in March?
Average highs of 60°F, lows of 43°F, 5.7″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HALEAKALA RS 338, HI US station).
What should I pack for Haleakalā in March?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-24