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).

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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 →

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 — 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).

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).

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.

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