Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in March
March at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore averages a daytime high near 37°F and an overnight low around 18°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation and roughly 15" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes March a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 18°F
- Average high
- 37°F
Range across the year: 7°F to 77°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Snowfall
- 15 in
- Daylight
- 11.6 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in March: roughly 7,200 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes March the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (3×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score March rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 28°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 63% of annual visitors, choosing March instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 11.6 hours of daylight in March to explore — between the 8.3-hour midwinter low and the 15.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 261,009 recreation visits, up 2.9% from 253,703 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 19.8%, so a March visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How March compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 26°F / 8°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| March | 37°F / 18°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| April | 49°F / 30°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Apostle Islands, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in March 2027
The National Park Service lists these Apostle Islands facilities as closed during March 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Bayfield Headquarters (visitor center): closed all month (September 30, 2026 to May 15, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
March averages a daytime high near 37°F and an overnight low around 18°F at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation and roughly 15 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
March is very quiet at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. March sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical March sees about 7,000 recreation visits at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Apostle Islands in March
Booking a March trip to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live March availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Apostle Islands
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in March.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.