Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 49/100 · #4 of 12 months

March is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 79% of the December peak (119,145 average visits), days average 73°F with 12 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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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

See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-12