Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in March
We’ve put together a guide of what it’s like to visit Utah in March. It’s still not quite the busy season at the popular vacation spots, making it one of the best months to visit Utah for outdoor activities to explore the state and its extraordinary national parks.
In March you’ll still need to be prepared for cold temperatures and the possibility of snow at any time around the state! Weather and temperatures will vary between Northern and Southern Utah, with those in the south about 10 degrees warmer.
There are a lot of Utah spring break ideas – from the stark, dramatic landscapes of Arches National Park, to the breathtaking views of Zion National Park. Plus, March is just at the tail end of the ski season, so you could even hit the slopes if you fancy.
We have lived in Utah for over 20 years and travel around the state often. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting various Utah locations, especially in March. This guide details places to visit, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay for a Utah vacation in March.
Use our Utah Packing Lists 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 Utah National Parks
Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Northern and Southern Utah in March
There are two main regions in Utah: Northern Utah and Southern Utah. It’s important to keep up with road and weather conditions when visiting in March.
Northern Utah in March:
In Northern Utah, the largest cities are Salt Lake City and Park City. You’ll find main streets with shopping, restaurants, nightlife, festivals, historic buildings and performing arts.
In March you can snowshoe, snow ski, snowmobile, and ice fish in the valleys and mountains in the Northern Utah areas.
Southern Utah in March:
The drive from Northern to Southern Utah means passing through rural areas with small towns with limited services. Check to see where the Utah vacation spots are located around the state because a drive from Salt Lake City to any of the National Parks in the south can take 4 to 5 hours.
All 5 Utah National Parks are located in Central and Southern Utah. Keep in mind that it will be crowded the last part of March around spring break at all the parks!
Also be prepared with winter clothing like waterproof layers and shoes when visiting most areas of Utah in March. Before heading out to explore any National or Utah State Park, check with the visitor center for updated conditions. After a rain or snow storm hiking trails may close, or may require traction devices due to ice.
Utah Weather in March
Here’s a summary of the average Utah weather in March around the state:
Average March temperature in Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 55 / lows 36 degrees F. The average March precipitation in the Northern part of Utah:
- Salt Lake City – 9 days / 1.8 inches
- Logan – 9 days / 2.2 inches
- Provo – 9 days / 1.6 inches
- Alta – 13 days / 6.2 inches of snow
- Park City – 9 days / 2 inches of snow
Average March temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 68 / lows 39 degrees F. The average March precipitation in the Southern part of Utah:
- Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) – 5 days / 0.7 inches
- Bryce Canyon – 6 days / 1.3 inches
- Capitol Reef – 4 days / 0.5 inches
- Cedar City – 6 days / 1.4 inches
- Zion – 7 days / 2.0 inches
- St. George – 5 days / 1 inch
It’s important to know the expected weather forecast and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in March so we’ve written detailed guides for each National Park in Utah:
- Arches National Park weather
- Bryce Canyon National Park weather
- Canyonlands National Park weather
- Capitol Reef National Park weather
- Zion National Park weather
In the spring it’s important to stay hydrated and use sun protection for any outdoor activities:
- WATER: Drink plenty of water – we use hydration packs or carry refillable bottles in our backpack.
- FOOD: Pack and eat healthy snacks.
- SUN PROTECTION: Sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen, and hydrating lotion, especially if you’re not used to dry heat.
- LAYERS: Pack an insulated jacket, fleece jacket, winter hat, and gloves for the cold mornings and evenings.
Is March a Good Time to Visit Utah?
Deciding the best times to visit Utah depends on the things you want to do! Here’s a summary of the activities you can do in March:
Northern Utah: In March you can still enjoy winter activities like snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Southern Utah: The National Parks are popular destinations for Spring Break in Utah. Be prepared for crowds. The weather will be just right for outdoor activities.
Things to Do in Utah in March
If you’re planning a trip in March, here’s a fun list of places to visit and things to do in Utah in March.
Utah National Parks in March
All five Utah National Parks in March are open 24/7 every single day. Visitor Center hours and services might still be limited in March so check the NPS website for the most updated information.
Some of the National Parks in Utah now have permits to enter or do certain activities, so be sure to check the most updated National Park reservations required for the parks you’ll visit.
Enjoy spring activities in Utah National Parks like hiking, biking, scenic drives, off-roading, landscape photography, and more!
We’ve written specific guides about visiting Utah National Parks in March:
- Arches National Park in March
- Bryce Canyon National Park in March
- Canyonlands National Park in March
- Capitol Reef in March
- Zion National Park in March
Utah State Parks in March
Here’s a list of Utah State Parks where you can enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, photography, and stargazing. Here are a few of our favorite State Parks in Utah to visit in March.
- Antelope Island State Park
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
Hiking in Utah in March
In the mountains of Northern Utah you may still need snowshoes or traction devices on trails that are snow-covered or icy. In Southern Utah the trails should be free of snow, but may be wet since March is a rainy month. Layers are key for hiking in Utah in March.
There are plenty of trails for spring hiking in Utah National Parks, State parks, National forests, and Wilderness areas. You’ll find a trail for any level of hiker from gentle, scenic routes perfect for beginners to steep, rugged trails that will test even the most experienced hiker’s stamina, the variety is endless.
Check out these fun spring hiking ideas around Utah at all five Utah National Parks:
- Arches National Park Spring Hikes
- Bryce Canyon Spring Hikes
- Canyonlands National Park Spring Hikes
- Capitol Reef National Park Spring Hikes
- Zion National Park Spring Hikes
- Moab Spring Hikes
- Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike
Utah Scenic Drives in March
Utah is a stunningly beautiful state, with miles of breathtaking landscapes to explore. In March the Utah Scenic Drives in the lower elevations around the state are open to explore.
- Anticline Overlook
- Needles Overlook
- Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
- Scenic Byway 12
- Valley of the Gods
The scenic drives in Utah National Parks offer some of the best views and landscapes in America. All five parks have a road to explore the various points of interest with things to see, do and photograph at each stop.
- Arches National Park Scenic Drive
- Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
- Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
- Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
- Zion National Park Scenic Drives
Have you heard about the Utah National Parks GuideAlong App? It’s a great way to have your own private guide to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Utah Photography in March
You’ll still need to be prepared for cold temperatures in March in Utah. The sunrise and sunset times aren’t too early or too late this time of year.
We highly recommend rechargeable hand warmers and photographer gloves for those cold early morning sunrise outings!
There are so many photo spots around Utah to capture images of the diverse and unique landscape around the state!
- Guide to Moab Photography
- Guide to Kanab Photography
- Arches National Park Pictures
- Bryce Canyon Pictures
- Canyonlands National Park Photos
- Capitol Reef National Park photos
- Dead Horse Point State Park Photos
- Zion National Park Photos
Utah Stargazing in March
Utah has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world. We definitely recommend you take time to view the Utah night skies during your vacation.
In March from 3 am until sunrise you can see and photograph the milky way!
Northern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Antelope Island State Park
- Dinosaur National Monument
- East Canyon State Park
- Jordanelle State Park
- North Fork Park
Southern Utah Stargazing Locations:
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
Utah Tours in March
You’ll find a variety of tours around Utah in March: hiking, rock climbing, photography, off-roading, and more! At the Utah National Parks there are guided tour to explore the red rock landscape!
- Arches National Park Tours
- Bryce Canyon National Park Tours
- Canyonlands National Park Tours
- Capitol Reef National Park Tours
- Zion National Park Tours
- Moab Tours
Utah Camping in March
Utah is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, with its vast array of national parks and monuments offering a wealth of camping opportunities. In Northern Utah, March is still too early for camping in the mountains.
In Southern Utah, you’ll find options for camping at all five Utah National Parks as well as RV Parks and BLM campgrounds near each park. Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot in nature or a bustling campground with plenty of amenities, there is something for everyone when it comes to camping in Utah’s national parks.
Places to Stay in Utah in March
- Coolest Hotels in Utah
- RV parks near Utah National Parks
- Lodging in Utah National Parks
- Hotels Near Utah National Parks
Utah Bucket List of Things To Do
To find even MORE fun things to do in March, we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of must-do activities that belong on every Utah Bucket List: things to see, do and taste all around the state! Grab the free printable by clicking the graphic below!
