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WhenToVisitParks

Crater Lake National Park in March

Very quiet0.2× average month · best-time score 7/100

March at Crater Lake National Park averages a daytime high near 36°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 7.8" of precipitation and roughly 72" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes March a very quiet month here.

Average low
20°F
Average high
36°F

Range across the year: 19°F to 69°F

Crowds
0.2× averageVery quiet
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
7.8 in
Snowfall
72 in
Daylight
11.6 hours

Check access before you plan around March

March draws about 17% of the visits Crater Lake sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around March. Official Crater Lake park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in March: roughly 9,300 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes March the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.4×) and the January low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score March rates 7/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: 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 3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 632,242 recreation visits, up 25.2% from 504,942 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.4%, so March may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How March compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
February34°F / 19°F0.1× Very quiet4 Poor
March36°F / 20°F0.2× Very quiet7 Poor
April40°F / 23°F0.3× Very quiet49 Fair

All twelve months at Crater Lake, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in March 2027

The National Park Service lists these Crater Lake 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.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

March averages a daytime high near 36°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Crater Lake National Park, with about 7.8 inches of precipitation and roughly 72 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

March is very quiet at Crater Lake National Park (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 7/100. Our recommended month is September. March draws about 17% of the visits Crater Lake sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around March.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. March sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical March sees about 9,000 recreation visits at Crater Lake National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Crater Lake in March

Booking a March trip to Crater Lake National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live March availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Crater Lake

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

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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.