Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park in March

When visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in March, the weather can be unpredictable. Due to the park’s elevation near 9,000 feet, it will be cold and snow storms may create challenging travel conditions and road closures.

You’ll find a variety of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park in March like hiking, biking, scenic drives, and photography to explore the unique landscape filled with colorful hoodoos!

Things to do at Bryce Canyon in March

If you’re looking for an adventure-filled list of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park, March is the perfect time of year to visit! It’s not quite the busy season and you can enjoy seeing the contrast of white snow against the red rocks!

Located in the southwest corner of Utah, Bryce Canyon showcases a unique landscape willed with colorful rock structures called ‘hoodoos’. Use this Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan your March vacation: things to do, what to pack, where to stay, services available, weather conditions and more!

We live only a few hours away from Bryce Canyon and have visited during all four seasons. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of March!

Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the temperatures and weather for the time you’ll visit so you can enjoy the outdoor activities you want to do at Bryce Canyon! Use our Bryce Canyon 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!

get the free Bryce Canyon National Park packing lists
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A Photo Tour of Bryce Canyon National Park

Take a visual tour through Bryce Canyon National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park in March

Bryce Canyon, a breathtaking U.S. National Park in Utah, is a sight to behold. Known for its crimson-colored hoodoos, or spire-shaped rock formations, it offers an extraordinary landscape that’s truly out of this world.

Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or simply soaking up some serene natural beauty, Bryce Canyon is a place that’s sure to steal your heart.

You’ll find many Bryce Canyon spring activities to enjoy in March. It’s a great time of year to explore the park and avoid the crowds!

If you’re visiting Bryce Canyon National Park with kids, there are fun way to get them excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:

Visitor Center and Ranger-Led Programs in March at Bryce Canyon

We recommend you stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, especially in March. It’s important to find out the latest road conditions, hiking trail conditions and talk to the ranger to see if they have any tips for things to do while visiting.

It’s also good to ask about the weather forecast and what ranger-led programs at Bryce Canyon are happening during your stay.

If you are traveling with kids you will want to grab Junior Ranger booklets. 

Kids, and adults, 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! 

View from Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon in the winter
View from the Amphitheater

Scenic Drive in March at Bryce Canyon

The Bryce Canyon scenic drive offers views of hoodoos, arches and windows at various viewpoints and overlooks.

We always recommend you start by driving to the end of the road at Rainbow Point then working your way back to the amphitheater. This way all the overlooks are on the right so it’s easy to pull in and out of each parking lot.

You’ll find the best Bryce Canyon views and photo spots along the scenic drive! In March the road could close past the amphitheater due to snow. But there are still many overlooks to see and photograph the stunning views in the amphitheater area!

photographer at Bryce Canyon National Park with snow
Photographer at Bryce Canyon

Photography in March at Bryce Canyon

Capturing Bryce Canyon photos is all about the light when taking pictures at this stunning park with its colorful landscape with uniquely shaped formations

Anywhere along the rim between Sunrise Point and Bryce Point is a good spot for Bryce Canyon sunrise photography.

Be sure to download our camera gear checklist before arriving at the park to make sure you have everything you need. 

Since March will still be cold, we like to use photographer gloves and keep rechargeable hand warmers in our coat pockets!

If you want detailed tips and best times to take pictures at each viewpoint, take a look at our Bryce Canyon Photography Guide!

Stargazing in March at Bryce Canyon

Stargazing at Bryce Canyon National Park is a must-do activity. It’s worth braving the cold night air in March to see the sky full of stars on a moonless night!

It will be easy to see why Bryce Canyon is one of Utah’s International Dark Sky Parks.

Navajo Loop trail closed after a snow storm

Hiking in March at Bryce Canyon

There are so many great Bryce Canyon spring hikes to go on while visiting in March, but there are two trails that will be closed.

The Wall Street side of the Navajo Loop is closed, but the Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop remains open for down-and-back hiking along the Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden trail. And the Rim Trail between Inspiration and Bryce Points may also still be closed in March.

Some easy hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park include Sunset to Sunrise, Rim Trail, Bristlecone Loop, and Mossy Cave. 

With all trails at Bryce Canyon keep in mind that snow is only cleared from sidewalks as well as the overlooks. The snow can become muddy and slippery so you want to be extremely careful while hiking. 

You may still need traction devices on some trails in March. You may still find trails closed due to bad conditions. Check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions. Traction devices can be rented in Bryce Canyon City.

Be prepared with winter hiking gear at Bryce Canyon in March:

Peek-a-Boo-Trail-at-Bryce-Canyon-in-the-winter-768x1152
Peek-a-Boo Trail with snow

Backpacking in March at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon backpacking is hard throughout the year, but it is even more difficult in March when there’s snow and freezing temperatures. You must be a very experienced hiker to be issued a permit in the winter months. 

Camping in March at Bryce Canyon

There are two campgrounds for Bryce Canyon National Park camping inside the park, but only one is open in March. North Campground is first-come, first-served October 16th through May 26th.

You can also find some other camping options near Bryce Canyon:

Lodging in March Near Bryce Canyon

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.

Tips for Planning a Bryce Canyon Vacation in March

You can’t beat visiting this Utah National Park during the offseason without the crowds. You’ll also score offseason lodging rates!

In March, the main Bryce Canyon scenic drive could be closed due to weather and road conditions, which means you’ll only be able to see the amphitheater section of the park.

But the amphitheater is the most amazing part of the park, and you’ll be able to capture stunning Bryce Canyon winter photos!

Driving to Bryce Canyon in March

Bryce Canyon is located in a remote and mountainous location. If there’s bad weather, it will take advanced planning. In March be sure to watch the weather forecast and consider other options and routes if snow is expected. The narrow and steep backcountry roads to get to Bryce Canyon may not be plowed, and can be very scary in the snow!

Once you get to Bryce Canyon, the main road and major parking lots are usually plowed quickly after a storm. Check the Bryce Canyon Conditions Page for road status.

road closed at Bryce Canyon National Park with snow
Scenic Drive closed at Bryce Canyon

Services at Bryce Canyon in March

Bryce Canyon is open 24/7 all 365 days of the year. In March two roads are still closed to vehicles: Fairyland Point and Paria View. They remain open for anyone who wants to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski in those areas.

Even though Bryce Canyon is open, you may find the main road closed beyond the amphitheater following a snowstorm. The park closes the road beyond mile marker 3 so snow plow crews can clear snow from the higher elevations along the southern scenic drive. The road closure typically last a day or so, depending on the severity of the snowstorm.

They always plow the first three miles of the main road first. This includes the Bryce Amphitheater area: Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.

March Weather at Bryce Canyon

The Bryce Canyon National Park weather can change at any time so it’s important to be prepared for cold and snow. Average temperatures in March are highs around 44 and lows around 19 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s cold!

With the right cold weather clothing, you can enjoy the outdoor adventures at Bryce! Even though March is technically spring, it will still feel like winter at Bryce Canyon. We recommend:

You’ll experience a dry desert environment o be sure to also pack and use lip balm and lotion as well!

spring hiking gear

Things To Do Near Bryce Canyon in March

Bryce Canyon maps and guides

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