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 boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kitSee it on AmazonWhy: 13.2″ of rain is normal this month.
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Crowds in March
Mount Rainier averages 23,760 recreation visits in March — 6% of what July, the peak month, draws — 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 rain 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).
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).
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.
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