Should You Visit the Grand Canyon in March?

Visiting the Grand Canyon in March may seem like a great idea. In fact, we’ve visited the Grand Canyon in March twice. But March is not the best time to get the full Grand Canyon experience, in my opinion. And I’ll tell you exactly why in this blog post.

I just visited the Grand Canyon in a new month (I’ll reveal that soon), and it was the perfect time to hike, bike, and explore the North Rim, South Rim, and the inner canyon.

Keep reading to find out why visiting the Grand Canyon in March is not as great as other months, and which months to visit this Natural Wonder of the World instead.

If you decide to visit the Grand Canyon in March (I’ll explain why it is suitable for certain travelers), I’ll share some preparation tips.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE

Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park.

Getting There: The closest major airports to Grand Canyon are Harry Reid International and Phoenix Sky Harbor International. Find affordable flights here.
Entrance Fee: $35/vehicle or FREE with an America the Beautiful Pass
Where to Stay: Camp in the park, reserve a room in the Bright Angel Lodge, or stay outside the park in the town of Williams or Flagstaff. (Read my full Where to Stay guide here.)
How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Grand Canyon. You can utilize the park shuttles once you’re inside the park.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
How Long to Visit: 2-3 days for one rim and 3-5 days for both rims (3 day itinerary)

Table of Contents

Should You Visit the Grand Canyon in March? No. Here’s Why + When to Go

girl hiking down the south kaibab trail in the grand canyon

1. The North Rim is closed to vehicles.

canyon view from point imperial in the grand canyon north rim

When you think of the Grand Canyon, you probably picture the South Rim. But there’s so much more to explore in Grand Canyon National Park than just the South Rim!

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the most remote part of the National Park, is equally spectacular and definitely worth exploring. However, due to heavy snowpack, the North Rim roads are closed to vehicles from December through mid-May, and the facilities are closed from mid-October through mid-May.

So if you visit the Grand Canyon in March, you won’t get to explore the North Rim! Unless you ski or snowshoe to it, of course.

2. Snow, ice, and other winter weather tend to linger.

March conditions on the Grand Canyon rims can be harsh. The South Rim averages about 51 degrees F during the day and 25 degrees F overnight. (44 high/21 low on the North Rim – closed to vehicles, open to skiers and snowshoers only).

When we visited in March, temperatures were very cold on the South Rim. We were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves. And while the inner canyon trails were noticeably warmer, the first mile of the Bright Angel Trail was still coated in a layer of snow and ice.

watching the sunset on the south rim of the grand canyon

Lingering snowstorms are also possible in March, which could temporarily close roads and/or trails. It would be devastating to have a must-do activity or must-hike trail on your itinerary, only to find out you can’t do it because it’s been closed.

So if you do visit in March, be prepared for all types of weather, including snow and ice, and be flexible in case your Plan A doesn’t work out.

KEEP IN MIND: Even though the Grand Canyon is a desert, the rims are still at high elevations, so they’re subject to these early spring snow events.

3. Camping conditions can be brutally cold.

tent set up on mather campground campsite in the south rim of the grand canyon — Mather Campground in September (*not March*)

Nights on the rim of the Grand Canyon are notorious for being chilly, even in the summer. So imagine how cold it would be in March! Actually, you don’t have to imagine because I have the details for you right here: the South Rim overnight temperatures average about 25 degrees F in March.

So even though Mather Campground on the South Rim is open in March, the overnights would be very cold (and possibly, snowy). Especially for those tent campers out there!

4. Springbreakers flock to the South Rim.

sunset on the south rim of the grand canyon

Springbreakers start rolling into the Grand Canyon in droves in March. Since the North Rim is closed, all of the kids on spring break flock to the South Rim, crowding it even more than usual.

Note that pretty much every month in the spring, summer, and fall is busy on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. But it’s worth mentioning that there will be a higher volume of kids than in other months in the spring and fall, as a result of spring vacations.

When to Visit the Grand Canyon

girl sitting at skeleton point on the south kaibab trail in the grand canyon

If you’re not visiting the North Rim, you’re not camping on the rim, you’re spending most of your time below the rim, and you’re properly prepared for harsh conditions, March could be a good option to visit the Grand Canyon.

But if you want to experience the park to its fullest, including visiting the North Rim by vehicle, I’d suggest visiting in late May, September, or early October. At these times, you’ll find both rims open with the warmest rim temperatures combined with the most tolerable inner canyon conditions.

We visited in mid-September, and it was the perfect time to hike, bike, and explore the North Rim, South Rim, and the inner canyon.

Preparing For Your Visit to the Grand Canyon in March

As I mentioned in the previous section, if you’re not visiting the North Rim, you’re not camping on the rim, you’re spending most of your time below the rim, and you’re properly prepared for harsh conditions, March could be a good option to visit the Grand Canyon.

Here are some things to know about visiting the Grand Canyon in March and how to prepare for your early spring trip.

Weather: Grand Canyon in March

Grand Canyon’s weather in March is known to straddle that line between winter and spring. While March marks the beginning of spring for many places around the country, the Grand Canyon’s weather is usually still in winter mode, especially on the rims.

March temperatures on the SOUTH RIM average around 51 degrees F during the day and 25 degrees F overnight. These conditions are tolerable for hiking (especially mid-day), but you must know that snow and ice are still a possibility, especially on the rim and top mile of the Bright Angel Trail. These conditions are less than ideal for camping, especially for tent campers and those unprepared for winter weather.

view from bright angel trail in grand canyon

March temperatures in the INNER CANYON average around 71 degrees F during the day and 48 degrees F overnight. These conditions are tolerable for hiking and camping, but you must know that snow and ice are still a possibility on the rims. (After all, the only way to get down to the bottom is via the rim). So even though conditions are pristine in the inner canyon, the rims are a different (sometimes 15-degree-different) story.

Crowds: Grand Canyon in March

Just like most months in the spring through fall, March is a popular time to visit the Grand Canyon. Spring break adds an additional layer of crowds.

Tips on avoiding the crowds in March:

Arrive early and stay late. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to be at the park anyway!
Hike into the canyon. 90% of visitors don’t dip below the rim.
Avoid tourist hotspots. As soon as you step away from the Village, including the Rim Trail between Yavapai and Mather Point, the Visitor Center, lodges, markets, etc., you’ll start seeing fewer and fewer people.

skeleton point at grand canyon national park

Tips For Your Visit: Grand Canyon in March

We’ve visited the Grand Canyon in March twice, so if you do decide to visit in March, here are my tips for you:

Bring winter camping gear. If you’re tent camping, make sure your tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc. is rated for winter conditions. Here are my 14 tips for keeping warm in a tent.
Stay hydrated. Sometimes, when we’re cold, we don’t feel thirsty. But please stay hydrated, whether you’re hiking or not! You’re still at a high elevation.
Consider staying in the lodge or a nearby hotel. As much as I love tent camping, it’s really not comfortable to do so in 20-degree weather (especially if you don’t have the proper equipment). So consider staying warm at night in one of the park lodges or a hotel in a nearby town. OR rent a campervan for your trip! Read my full Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon blog post for specific hotel, lodge, and glamping recs!
Layer up! Warmer layers are crucial on the rim, especially in the early morning, evening, and overnight. But you’ll want to shed them as you dip into the canyon (and if the temperature warms throughout the day).
Add microspikes to your pack. Hikers, beware of snow and ice on the rim and just below the rim! The Bright Angel Trail, in particular, is notorious for having a layer of ice and/or snow on the first section late into the spring season. You wouldn’t want to slip down into the canyon!