Visiting Zion National Park in March
Are you wondering what it’s like to visit Zion National Park in March? Zion in the spring is a terrific time to go. It’s important to know the services available, weather, and things to do when visiting in Zion in March.
Zion is the most-visited Utah National Park to explore and photograph the colorful cliffs and canyons there. March begins the busy season so check the latest shuttle dates and times as that will be the only way to access Zion Canyon.
We are lucky to only live a few hours away from Zion National Park. We’ve had the opportunity to visit Zion many times during all seasons! The tips we share for planning a March vacation to Zion are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years!
Use this Zion National Park travel guide to plan your trip: what to pack, where to stay, and things to do at Zion in March. Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the weather so you’re able to enjoy the outdoor activities you want to do!
Use our Zion 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 Zion National Park
Take a visual tour through Zion National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Visiting Zion National Park in March
Zion National Park is a popular destination for spring break in Utah so expect crowds.
Due to melting snowpack in the area in the spring, the rivers and waterfalls in Zion in March are full. If you enjoy photographing waterfalls and rivers, then you’ll love visiting Zion National Park in the spring.
And… if you’re there during a rainstorm, there are amazing pop-up waterfalls that cascade over the mountains. It’s really amazing to see, and something most people don’t get to experience!
Unfortunately the wet weather during the spring could close some Zion National Park hikes due to falling rocks, rockslides and fast-moving water. The Narrows trail will close whenever the river is moving too fast. And Angel’s Landing will close if the trail is wet and slippery.
Does the Shuttle Run in March?
The first part of March, the Zion National Park shuttle only runs on the weekend so you have full access to drive into Zion Canyon with your car, unless it gets too full and they need to close it off! Beginning mid-March, the shuttle runs every day and that’s the only way to access Zion Canyon. Be sure to check the shuttle schedule for exact dates for the month of March.
There might be limited parking at Zion National Park in the town of Springdale so plan to start your day early to get a parking spot in town and a spot on the shuttle.
Weather at Zion in March
Zion National Park weather in March is wet so be prepared with rain gear in case a storm rolls through so you can still enjoy the outdoor activities at the park. There may be a random snow storm in March so always check the weather forecast so you have the right clothing for the conditions.
The days and nights are still cool this time of year at Zion. In March the highs are usually in the mid 60s and the lows are near 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
You might still need winter clothing in March, especially for the cold mornings and evnings:
It’s important to stay hydrated and if you’re not used to a dry environment you’ll find in Utah, keep lip balm and lotion with you!!
Can You Drive Through Zion National Park in March?
The first part of March you’ll be able to drive your car through Zion Canyon on the week days. The shuttles will run every weekend and resume full schedule every day in mid-March.
You can always access the other Zion National Park scenic drives. Keep in mind the upper Kolob Terrace Road, including Lava Point, closes in the winter due to its high elevation. And access to Kolob Canyons may close due to inclement weather.
What Services Are Available in March?
Zion National Park is open all year long. It is open every day of the year. Check the website for the most current Zion facilities hours:
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Park Store
- Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk
- Zion Human History Museum
- Zion Nature Center
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
If you want to camp in Zion National Park, keep in mind that starting mid-March the Zion campgrounds are usually full every night so plan ahead.
What Zion Permits or Reservations Are Needed in March?
We highly recommend you check the Zion NPS website for the most updated information regarding the US National Parks Reservations required for the time you’ll be visiting. You will need permits to hike one of three trails in the park: Angels Landing, the Subway, and from the Narrows top-down. We’ll detail this more later in the article about hiking at Zion.
Is March a Good Time to Visit Zion?
A trip to Zion in March is awesome as long as you’re prepared for inclement weather. Check out our guide for finding the best time to visit Zion National Park. Each season and month of the year will have different activities and services available.
Things to Do at Zion National Park in March
Here’s a list of fun Zion National Park spring activities you can do during the month of March!
There are fun way to get the family excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Zion National Park Coloring Page
- Zion 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!
Zion Scenic Drives in March
All four Zion National Park scenic drives are breathtaking!
Zion Canyon: This road is only open to cars until mid-March (note that the shuttle runs every weekend in March). On the 6.5 mile drive, you will see the most incredible rock formations.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: Highway 8 and Tunnel is a must-drive that goes through an incredible 1.1 mile tunnel! In March you may encounter snow or rain. If it’s raining, look for waterfalls!! We like to stop at the pullouts to take photos, hike and look for bighorn sheep.
Kolob Terrace: Located west of Springdale in the town of Virgin, you’ll see a different side of Zion National Park. In March you may not be able to access the higher elevations due to snow, but you can enjoy the views before hitting that section.
Kolob Canyons: If you don’t mind driving 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, you can drive the Kolob Canyons section of the park. Again, check road conditions because this road closes frequently after any snow storm.
We REALLY like the Zion GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you!
Hiking at Zion in March
Spring hiking at Zion National Park in March is great when the weather isn’t scorching hot. But trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides or other unsafe conditions.
Between mid-March and late May, The Narrows and The Subway trails close when the water levels are too high due to the spring runoff. Check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions before setting out on any hike in March.
Here’s a handy list of Zion hikes without the shuttle if you want to avoid the crowds. We always recommend hitting the park and trails first thing in the morning!
We recommend you check with the Visitor Center for updated trail conditions before setting out on any hike because the Zion landscape is always changing which means trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides and other unsafe conditions.
Be sure to check whether Zion hiking permits are required for any of the trails you want to explore. Angels Landing permits are required year-round to hike the chains section. You can hike to Scouts Landing and back without a permit.
You will need a permit to hike the Left Fork North Creek Subway and the full 16-mile Narrows hike.
Canyoneering in March at Zion
The Subway and The Narrows are two famous trails for canyoneering at Zion. Canyoneering trails involve route finding, rappelling, hiking, and swimming!
Some of these technical hikes require a permit, and all overnight trips in these areas also require a permit. If you want to give it a try, check out these canyoneering tours!
BUT in March, high water levels could close the canyoneering trails so be sure to check with the Visitor Center to get the most updated information!
Zion Photography in March
The best times for Zion National Park photography are sunrise and sunset. The colors are vibrant and the light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that cannot be missed. You won’t actually see the sun rising or setting due to the high stone walls in the park. You’ll be photographing the reflected glow onto the red rocks.
Our favorite Zion National Park photo spots are:
- History Museum back patio: sunrise
- Canyon Overlook: sunrise
- Three Patriarchs (shuttle stop): early morning
- Riverside Walk (shuttle stop): early morning
- Highway 9 landscape and bighorn sheep: early morning and evening
- Checkerboard Mesa: early morning and evening
- Pa’rus Trail: sunset
- Kolob Terrace: sunset
We often wish for rain when we take our March trip to Zion. The pop-up waterfalls are so amazing to see and photograph, especially along Highway 9!
You might want to use photographer gloves and keep rechargeable hand warmers in your coat pockets for the cold temperatures in the morning and evening.
Check out our Zion National Park Photography Guide with the best photo spots for sunrise, sunset and night photography!
Zion Biking in March
One of the FUN ways to access Zion Canyon is by bike! Bicycling at Zion is a fun way to get around the park. You can rent bicycles in Springdale. Be aware of the rules for riding your bike at Zion:
- Bicycling is permitted on the park roadways and the Pa’rus Trail. The areas closed to bikes: all other park trails, off-trail routes, and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
- Bikes must be ridden single file on the right side of the park roads and Pa’rus Trail. Due to the narrow park roads, there is a limit of 6 bicycles or less for every cycling group.
- Wear your helmet.
Zion Guided Tours in March
Whether you’re looking for a half-day or full-day excursion, there are plenty of Zion National Park tours available to fit your needs: guided hikes, canyoneering, photography, and off-road experiences!
Since it’s the start of the busy season, be sure to check what tours are available for the time you’ll be visiting Zion:
- Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic
- East Zion Half-Day Canyoneering Tour
- VIP Guided Small-Group Tour with Photography in Zion National Park
- Sunset Horseback Ride at East Zion
- Zion Jeep (Morning) Premium Tour
- UTV Morning Tour at Zion National Park
Zion Camping in March
There are three campgrounds for camping in Zion National Park. Any time of year, camping at Zion is only permitted in the campground designated campsites. You cannot camp in pullouts or parking lots.
In March only two are open: Watchman and Sunset Campground. Lava Point in the Kolob Terrace area isn’t open until May due to it’s high elevation.
There are many options for camping near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon that are located between the two parks, which helps cut driving time if you plan to visit both parks!
If you can’t find a camping spot in Zion, or if camping isn’t your thing, there are more places to stay inside and near the park:
- Zion National Park Lodging
- RV parks near Zion National Park
- Glamping Near Zion National Park
- Cabins Near zion National Park
- Hotels Near Zion National Park
BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON
Zion National Park Itineraries
Check out these Zion itineraries to help you plan your vacation for the number of days you’ll be in the park:
Get your FREE Zion National Park Travel Bundle that includes 3-day printable itineraries by clicking the graphic below
