Visiting Arches National Park in March
You’ll find many spring activities at Arches National Park in March like hiking, scenic drives, and landscape photography to explore the unique geology filled with arches, fins, and balanced rocks in southeast Utah.
Arches National Park in the spring is one of the most popular seasons due to the moderate temperatures. The pleasantly warm days are perfect for exploring the park’s many hiking trails, while the cooler nights offer ideal conditions for stargazing.
Use this Arches National Park travel guide to plan a March vacation: things to do, weather and temperatures, what to pack, where to stay, and more!
We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year so we have lots of Arches National Park vacation ideas and things to do at Arches in March! The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of March.
The latter part of March will start to get crowded because Arches National Park is a popular Utah spring break destination. We suggest you plan your vacation the first two weeks of March if you can, or plan to enter the park early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Another tip we can give for visiting Arches in March is to plan for the temperatures and possible unpredictable weather that could include rain or snow! Use our Arches National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in March. Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Arches National Park
Take a visual tour through Arches National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Visiting Arches National Park in March
Arches is a very small Utah National Park. It’s a popular destination and it gets crowded during the peak spring season. It has over 2000 natural stone arches, along with unique geological features.
The iconic Delicate Arch is a symbol of the American Southwest. But there’s more to it than just the arches. The park offers a breathtaking view of colorful landscapes and textures, as well as a beautiful night sky. It’s a must-visit for nature lovers.
The first part of March is your best bet to avoid the crowds when it’s spring break in Utah.
Arches Weather in March
The Arches National Park weather in March is starting to get warmer, but the mornings and evenings will still be cold.
Keep in mind the weather can be unpredictable if a storm rolls through with rain, and possibly snow. The average highs are near 60 degrees with the lows in the mid 30s.
Dress in layers when visiting in March:
Remember that this area of Utah is a dry environment, don’t forget lip balm and lotion!
Is March a Good Time to Visit Arches National Park?
Arches National Park is open 24/7. Visit the NPS site to get the updated operating hours for Arches.
March is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park due to the moderate temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend going the first two weeks of March.
You can also enter the park EARLY before 7:00 am, leave when it gets crowded, then go back in the afternoon!
Things to Do at Arches National Park in March
There are so many Arches National Park spring activities – here’s a list of things to consider when visiting in March.
There are fun way to get the family excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Arches National Park Coloring Page
- Arches National Park Facts
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
Arches National Park Visitor Center and Ranger Programs in March
Stopping at the visitor center is the first place you want to stop! It is open every day in March and is full of so much useful information.
There you can talk with the park ranger, tell them what you are most interested in, and ask for recommendations.
A good way to get to know more about Arches is to participate in ranger-led hikes and campfire talks.
If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, be sure to grab the Junior Ranger booklet so they can earn their Junior Ranger Badge!
Arches Scenic Drive in March
There’s a 43-mile Arches National Park scenic drive you must explore. It should take 2 to 3 hours to drive the road, including the two short spur roads. Be sure to add more time if you’ll be taking photos or hiking at any of the stops.
The road is paved with pullouts and parking lots perfect for any Arches National Park photography you want to do. Some of the arches and landmarks can be seen from the parking lot, or by a short walk.
We recommend the Arches GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Arches Hiking in March
Spring hiking at Arches National Park is the best because even though the sun is out, the air is cool. This is quite different from summer when you’re sweating and worrying about heat exhaustion.
Most of the trails at Arches are fully exposed to the sun, which is perfect for your visit in March since you aren’t worrying about finding shade! It’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen due to the elevation of Arches.
Some of the best hikes in Arches National Park:
- Delicate Arch
- Devil’s Garden Trail
- Double Arch
- Sand Dune Arch
- Skyline Arch
- The Windows Area
Arches National Park Photography in March
The best times to take Arches National Park pictures are at sunrise and sunset. The colors are vibrant and the light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that cannot be missed.
Sunrise at Arches National Park: We enjoy taking sunrise photos at La Sal Overlook, Courthouse Towers, and the Windows area. If you don’t want your photos to have people climbing on the rocks, you’ll also want to photograph Balanced Rock, Turret Arch or the Windows in the morning.
Sunset at Arches National Park is awesome. You’ll find many locations it will be hard to get photos without people! This is especially true at Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock and The Windows. Delicate Arch will be crowded so pack your patience. And don’t forget a headlamp for the hike back to your car!
CHECK OUT our 3 day Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide so you know all the best places and times to take pictures here!
Arches Stargazing in March
Definitely take one evening to stay after the sun set and LOOK UP! Can you see the milky way?
Arches National Park is internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of its remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies.
The slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” encourages visiting at night to simply Look up! On a clear night, the sky is literally filled with stars.
Arches is a popular destination for astrophotographers so you won’t be alone in the park at night. In March the milky way is visible from 3:00 am to sunrise.
Arches National Park Tours in March
Check out the variety of Arches National Park tours to learn more about the area and its history. Guided tours include hiking, scenic drive, rock climbing, off road driving, and photography to name a few.
Always check in advance to know what’s available for the time you’ll be visiting the park!
- Immersive Arches National Park All Day Hiking Experience
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour at Arches National Park
- Sunset and Night Photography Tour in Arches
- Day Photography in Arches, Canyonlands, & Moab
- Private Half-Day Canyoneering Tour Near Arches
- 4×4 Adventure in Arches National Park
Arches Camping in March
Reservations for camping at Arches National Park are required from March 1 to October 31.
The Devil’s Garden Campground is the only place in the park where you can camp. 51 total camp sites, each one accommodating ten people. Facilities include: drinking water, picnic tables, grills and both pit-style and flush toilets.
You’ll also find RV Parks near Arches National Park for camping in case you can’t get a spot in the park.
Lodging Near Arches National Park in March
If camping isn’t your thing, there are more lodging options near Arches:
- Hotels near Arches National Park
- Cabins Near Arches National Park
- Glamping Near Arches National Park
BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps
Things To Do Near Arches National Park in March
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Arches National Park to add to your itinerary:
- Things to Do Near Arches National Park
- Moab in March
- Kid-Friendly Things to do in Moab, Utah
- Canyonlands National Park in March
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Arches National Park Travel Planner
We’ve created some done-for-you itineraries for visiting Arches depending on the time you have to spend at the park. Click the graphic below to get a free travel bundle that includes printable daily itineraries. Or click the links below to see detailed itineraries of the best things to do at Arches!
- Arches National Park in One Day
- Two Days in Arches National Park
- Three Days in Arches National Park
- Arches National Park and Canyonlands in One Day
