Can You Hike In Colorado In March?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

In March,

hiking trails can be explored by snowshoe or cross country skis

—minus the summer crowds. Depending on which entrance you choose, there are rentals for both activities available in Estes Park (east entrance) and Grand Lake (west entrance).

Is March a good time to visit the Rocky mountains?

best time of the year to avoid crowds


November through April is the best time to avoid crowds in Rocky Mountain National Park

. Summer and fall weekends are the busiest in the park, and yearly visitation grows each year.

Can you hike in the Rocky mountains in March?

Snowshoeing is one of the most popular things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park in winter and you’ll find plenty of stunning trails available. In March,

you can also already expect to do some snow-free hiking

; just look for the trails at lower elevations.

Can you hike in Colorado in the winter?


Colorado is a magical place in the winter months

and the trails are quieter than in summer so it’s a perfect time to adventure. You may also be interested in our guide to the best national parks to visit in winter.

How is Colorado in March?

March and April are often some of Colorado’s

snowiest months

— plus you’ll likely enjoy shorter lift lines, slope-side events and lots of sunshine. Monarch Mountain, near Salida, is a super-approachable locals’ favorite mountain.

Is Rocky Mountain National Park open in March?

The road is drivable. Other than Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road,

all main RMNP east side roads are open year round

.

Is it too cold to hike Colorado in March?


March is generally not extremely cold even if there is snow

. It’s usually the more wet snow. You won’t be able to drive to the top of Pikes Peak because the winter snow will still be keeping the road closed. Have a great trip.

What is Sequoia National Park like in March?

March is the coldest of the spring months in Sequoia National Park.

Temperatures are cold at higher elevations

(and still cool overnight in lower elevations).

How is Olympic National Park in March?

Spring will be farther along in larger cities like Seattle.

One Olympic National Park outdoor activity that is excellent starting in late March is tidepooling

. Appropriate low tides start to take place during daylight hours and you can explore and enjoy the great biodiversity without having to scuba dive.

Is Estes Park open in March?

On the east side, autumn colors commonly start at Bear Lake in mid-September and in the Estes Park area in late September.

The park is always open, 24 hours a day year-round

.

Can you visit Zion in March?


March is a great time to explore Zion without the crowds

. The winter/spring lighting of March makes the park very photography-friendly. Make sure to catch sunrise or sunset from Canyon Overlook Trail or Watchman Overlook Trail.

Is Garden of the Gods Open in March?

The GOTG is

open year-round

(unless a heavy snow results in a temporary closure of the road).

When can you hike in Colorado?

There are lots of year-round options for hiking in Colorado. The best months for summer hiking are

June until late September

, when the trails tend to be snow-free and all of the scenic mountain highways are open for driving. Winter hiking is also fun if you dress properly and pack spikes and poles.

How long is hiking season in Colorado?

Hence the season for the Colorado Trail

starts only in July (some parts of it are covered with snow till late June) and runs through September

. Late September is likely to bring snowstorms. So the very best time to hike Colorado Trail is early July to mid-September.

Is it safe to hike in the winter?

Winter can be a dangerous time to hike or camp in the backcountry, but

with planning and proper preparation, a winter hike can be a safe and enjoyable experience

. Please keep the following in mind when planning an outing: For safety, never hike alone in winter. The potential consequences are simply too high.

Is Colorado good in March?


The best times to visit Colorado Springs are from March to May

and from September to October. That’s when you’ll find slightly cooler (yet still comfortable) temperatures as well as fewer crowds and bargain rates.

How cold is Colorado in March?

Month Avg. High Avg. Low March

52.0 °F / 11.1 °C

24.0 °F / -04.4 °C
April 59.0 °F / 15.0 °C 31.0 °F / -0.50 °C May 68.0 °F / 20.0 °C 41.0 °F / 05.0 °C June 79.0 °F / 26.1 °C 50.0 °F / 10.0 °C

Should I visit Denver in March?


If you love snow and all the activities that come with it, spring is your ideal time to visit Denver

. (That said, if you don’t like precipitation, spring is not the right time to visit Denver.) March is Denver’s snowiest month at more than 11 inches, and May is Denver’s rainiest month.

Is Yellowstone good to visit in March?

Benefits of Visiting in March

Another benefit to visiting in March is the

lack of crowds

. Even though it is transitioning into spring, it is still quite chilly, so Yellowstone is not a big Spring Break destination. Because there are so many less people, you may be able to experience a sense of quiet in the park.

Can you visit Grand Canyon in March?


March and April are two of the best months to visit the Grand Canyon

. You will have pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than in the summer. Depending on when Easter is this will be a busy time at the Grand Canyon along with spring break.

Is Rocky Mountain National Park closed in March?

Rocky Mountain National Park is

open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting

. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in the park.

Is there still snow in Colorado Springs in March?

The average sliding 31-day snowfall during March in Colorado Springs is increasing, starting the month at 1.6 inches, when it rarely exceeds 3.7 inches, and ending the month at 2.7 inches, when it rarely exceeds 6.4 inches or falls below 0.1 inches. The highest average 31-day accumulation is 2.7 inches on March 29.

How is Colorado Springs in March?

The average temperature in Colorado Springs in March for a typical day ranges from a high of 54°F (12°C) and a low of 27°F (-3°C). Some would describe it as

cold and breezy

. For comparison, the hottest month in Colorado Springs, July, has days with highs of 86°F (30°C) and lows of 57°F (14°C).

Is Colorado Springs snow in March?

March is typically the snowiest month of the year in the Pikes Peak region, and 2021 was no different.

Colorado Springs saw nearly twice its average snowfall for the month

. On average, the city saw about around 15 inches of snow in over the past month, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo.

Is March a good time to visit Sequoia National Park?

The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is

June through August

, when the weather is the most stable. The park is open 24/7, year-round, but there are certain challenges during select seasons. For example, snow chains or tires are required to safely navigate park roads during the winter months.

What is Big Sur like in March?

The amount of rain in March is normal with an average of 57mm (2.2in). It rains on average a total of 8 days. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 21.0°C (69.8°F). March is known as one of the best months to visit Big Sur.

Is there snow in Sequoia in March?

In March,

there is still plenty of snow around in Sequoia

and many of the roads to popular areas, The Crystal Cave for example, will quite likely be closed. In fact, it is possible that the Giant Forest will not be accessible.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.