On the Front Range, near Denver, we also get some of our heaviest snowfall in March and sometimes in April
. So, Spring hikes can be muddy, and ice can build up on segments of trails that escape the direct light of the sun. For that reason, we’ve tried to collect a set of hikes where Spring gets an early start.
Can you go hiking in Colorado in March?
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).
Can you go hiking in Denver in the winter?
The trails we’ve chosen for this set of top 10 winter hikes keep you close to Denver, are easy or moderately demanding, and explore a variety of landscapes.
Because Winter weather in Colorado is both breathtaking and unpredictable, it’s critical that hikers embark on their adventures well-prepared.
What is the best hiking near Denver?
| Wild Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park 1/2 to 12+ Miles; Easy to Difficult | Waterton Canyon 1 to 12.4 Miles; Easy to Moderate | Castlewood Canyon State Park 0.2 to 4 Miles; Easy to Moderate | Devils Head Lookout Trail 2.8 Miles; Moderate | White Ranch Loop Hike 2 Miles; Easy to Moderate |
|---|
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.
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.
How is Denver in March?
The temperature in Denver starts rising in March with
average daytime highs of 55°F and lows of 26°F
. Keep in mind that the March weather in Denver can be very changeable and while there’s 11 inches of snowfall on average, it can also feel very mild with highs of over 60°F possible and rain falling instead of snow.
Is RMNP open 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 the 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
.
Where is Red Rocks Hike?
| Hike Distance 6 miles Round Trip | Denver Drive Time 25 min |
|---|
Can you hike at Rocky Mountain Arsenal?
Rocky Mountain Arsenal’s
10 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking trails are open and accessible year-round
. Trails here are for foot traffic only (no bikes or dogs except on the Perimeter Trail), though when enough snow accumulates, visitors can also snowshoe or cross-country ski the trails.
Do you have to hike to Maroon Bells?
| Hike Distance Five Trails: 1 to 13 miles Round Trip – Depending on Trail | Activities Hiking, Backpacking, Camping | Fee Access Fee of $10 per vehicle or individual shuttle bus fee |
|---|
Are there places to hike in Denver?
- Start: Chautauqua Ranger Cottage (map) …
- Start: South parking lots at Red Rocks (map) …
- Start: Visitor Center or virtually any parking area (map) …
- Start: Brainard Lake Road (map) …
- Start: Bear Lake Trailhead (map) …
- Start: Spruce Creek Trailhead south of Breckenridge (map)
How close are the mountains to Denver?
The entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park sits only
66 miles
from the great city of Denver, and an hour and a half drive is a small price to pay for one of the most beautiful parks in the country.
Is Denver good for hiking?
Trading Post Loop at Red Rocks
The Trading Post Trail is our go-to hike near Denver
! It’s the perfect hike for visiting friends and family because it’s relatively easy and short. No snowcapped peaks here, but your surrounded by towering red rock. If you have limited time in Denver, this is your best option.
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.
Is Estes Park open in March?
March is the snowiest month in Rocky Mountain National Park, but the temperatures are mild and the roads are plowed. Best of all,
Estes Park’s shops and restaurants are open
and less crowded.
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).
What does Colorado look like in March?
The month of March in Denver experiences essentially
constant cloud cover
, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 46% throughout the month. The highest chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 47% on March 15.
What is the best hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?
- Sky Pond Hike. …
- Alluvial Fan Hike. …
- Chasm Lake Hike. Distance: 8.8 miles. …
- Storm Pass Hike. Distance: .2 miles. …
- Mt Ida Hike. Distance: 9.3 miles. …
- Longs Peak Hike (Keyhole Route) Distance: 14.8 miles. …
- Tombstone Ridge Hike. Distance: 5.6 miles. …
- Cub Lake Trail Hike. Distance: 6 miles.
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 March Denver’s snowiest month?
More snow is on the way. In fact,
March is the snowiest month in Denver
. Denver averages 11.3 inches of snowfall in March, which is more than any other month.
Is it good to visit Denver in March?
DENVER IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH (WINTER)
These cold temperatures and snowy conditions can make the bike trails and hiking routes less inviting (but still enjoyable on warmer days).
March introduces snowstorms and wild temperature swings, allowing for the transition into spring
.
Is Colorado still cold in March?
The weather in Colorado in March is
very cold
with Temperatures between 30°F and 51°F. You can expect rain for roughly half of the month of March in Colorado.
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.
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.
Can I visit Yellowstone in March?
Yellowstone is open 365 days a year 24 hours a day. In March,
the only gates that are open are the northern gate in Gardiner, Montana to the Northeast gate in Cooke City
. This gate is open year round and you can visit Mammoth Springs and the Lamar Valley.
