Things to Do at Arches National Park in March
Arches National Park in Utah is an ideal destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities. There are a variety of things to do at Arches National Park in March like hiking, biking, rock climbing, photography, and scenic drives!
Arches National Park in March is a popular month to visit due to the moderate temperatures. Visitors can take advantage of mild temperatures and the opportunity to explore the park’s trails, canyons, and arches.
If you’re looking for an adventure-filled list of things to do at Arches National Park, March is the perfect time of year to visit! From hiking to camping to photography, there are plenty of activities to enjoy at Arches in the spring.
Use this Arches National Park travel guide to plan a vacation in March: things to do, 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 to share! The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of March.
The biggest tip we can give for visiting Arches in March is to plan for the cold temperatures and 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!
Things to Do at Arches National Park in March
You’ll find a variety of Arches National Park spring activities to explore this stunning park!
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
All ages will enjoy collecting stamps in their National Park Passport book! Passport booklets and stamp sets are “usually” available at the park visitor centers, but we recommend you get the passport book before the trip, just in case!! We’ve seen sad kiddos when a visitor center is out of passport books. Rangers can stamp a piece of paper, but it’s not just the same experience!
Visitor Center and Ranger Programs in March at Arches
The Arches visitor center is open every day in March and is full of so much useful information. We recommend you stop to talk with the park ranger, tell them what you are most interested in, and ask for recommendations.
Arches Ranger-led programs are a good way to get to know more about this unique National Park. Find out what activities are available during your stay in March!
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!
Scenic Drive in March at Arches National Park
The Arches National Park scenic drive is a must-do. It’s a paved road that’s a total 43 miles, including the two short spur roads. Plan about 2 to 3 hours for the full drive, but add more time if you’ll be taking photos or hiking at any of the stops.
You’ll find many of the Arches National Park photo spots are along the road pullouts and parking lots. Many arches and landmarks can be seen from the parking lot, or by a short walk.
We recommend the Arches GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Hiking in March at Arches National Park
You’ll find a variety of Arches National Park spring hikes for all levels of hiker: easy, moderate, and strenuous. The weather is perfect for hiking in March at Arches! Due to the elevation and location of Arches, it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
Some of the best hikes in Arches National Park in March:
- Delicate Arch
- Devil’s Garden Trail to Landscape Arch
- The Windows Area
- Skyline Arch
- Sand Dune Arch & Broken Arch
Photography in March at Arches National Park
One of the most popular Arches National Park activities is photographing the amazing landscape!
If you want to enjoy a more quite time and capture photos without people climbing on the rocks at Balanced Rock, Turret Arch or the Windows, you’ll want to plan to visit these locations at sunrise at Arches National Park!
Delicate Arch is the most popular photo spot for sunset at Arches National Park. In March, you won’t have this location to yourself so be patient waiting for everyone to take their turn to get a photo under the arch!
You will definitely want photographer gloves and rechargeable hand warmers for those sunrise and sunset photography outings in March. Don’t forget a headlamp for navigating the dark before sunrise and after sunset!
CHECK OUT our 3 day Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide so you know all the best places and times to take pictures here!
Stargazing in March at Arches National Park
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. Be sure to schedule one night to enjoy the night sky at Arches!
Astrophotographers from around the world visit Arches National Park so you won’t be alone in the park at night. In March, the milky way is visible from 3:00 am to sunrise.
Guided Tours in March at Arches
In March you can enjoy a few 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.
- 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
Camping in March at Arches National Park
If you want to do Arches National Park camping in March, you will need to reserve a spot at Devil’s Garden Campground.
Reservations for camping at Arches are required from March 1- October 31. If you don’t reserve a spot ahead of time, you most likely will need to find a place to camp outside the park. You can reserve these spots up to 6 months in advance.
You’ll also find RV Parks near Arches National Park for camping in case you can’t get a spot in the park.
Lodging in March Near Arches National Park
If camping isn’t your thing, there are a variety of options so you can find the best place to stay for your travel style and budget.
- Arches National Park Lodging
- Hotels near Arches National Park
- Cabins Near Arches National Park
- Glamping Near Arches National Park
What It’s Like at Arches National Park in March
Arches National Park is open 24/7. Visit the NPS site to get the updated operating hours for Arches.
Hikers and photographers alike find March an ideal time to experience the park in its full glory, with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities.
We find early March is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park to escape the crowds and enjoy the moderate temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold.
Is Arches National Park Busy in March?
Arches is a popular Utah National Park, especially during the peak spring season. We recommend visiting the first part of March to avoid the crowds when it’s spring break in Utah.
There are no National Park Reservations needed for a trip to Arches in March. You won’t need an Arches Timed Entry Ticket since that program runs April 1 to October 31. But you’ll want to enter the park EARLY before 7:00 am, leave when it gets crowded, then go back in the afternoon!
Weather at Arches National Park in March
March weather in Arches National Park is starting to warm up, but the mornings and evenings will still be cold. The average highs are near 60 degrees with the lows in the mid 30s.
Just remember, the weather can be really hit-and-miss in March. If a storm blows by, you could end up with some rain or even snow.
Dress in layers when visiting in March and pack at a minimum:
Arches is a dry desert environment so be sure to also pack lip balm and lotion!
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 March vacation:
- Things to Do Near Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park in March
- Moab in March
- Kid-Friendly Things to do in Moab, Utah
- Dead Horse Point State Park
BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps
