March · CA · NV

Death Valley National Park in March.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

Death Valley National Park in March works for valley sightseeing, but expect warmer days and the year's highest average visit count. Furnace Creek's normal high is 83°F (28°C) and low is 57°F (14°C). Keep walks flexible; flowers are a possibility, not a reason to count on a spectacular display.

Furnace Creek low-valley station. Do not apply these normals to higher-elevation trails or mountain districts. Temperature normals include NOAA representative records with fewer than 30 observed years.

In short

March averages 161,109 recreation visits across 2021–2025. If cooler walking weather matters more than spring timing, compare February: its normal high is 74°F (23°C).

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Plan for warmth, not a mild-weather guarantee

March's normal valley high is 83°F (28°C), between February's 74°F (23°C) and April's 91°F (33°C). Check the forecast and put longer walking plans in the cooler part of your day. A monthly normal does not set a ceiling on the heat.

NPS notes that spring wind is common. Keep an alternative to an exposed walk, and treat mountain destinations separately from Furnace Creek's weather.

March can fall in the bloom window

NPS lists mid-February to mid-April for lower-elevation wildflowers on alluvial fans and foothills. The same guide warns that spectacular spring displays are the exception. Choose dates for a trip you would enjoy without flowers; the calendar alone cannot predict the display.

Keep a short-walk option

At Badwater Basin, you can visit the pool and boardwalk without committing to the longer salt-flat walk. Zabriskie Point offers a badlands view after a quarter-mile (400 m) paved uphill walk from the parking lot. Pick the effort that fits the forecast and your group.

The peak monthly count does not tell you when a particular parking lot will fill. Confirm overnight arrangements, allow flexibility between stops, and check current road and trail conditions and service hours before setting out.

Questions about March

Is March a good month to visit Death Valley?

March can suit valley viewpoints and walks, but its normal high is 83°F (28°C) at Furnace Creek and it has the highest average monthly visitation. February offers a cooler comparison. Check the forecast and choose your walking distance accordingly.

Will there be wildflowers in March?

March falls within the NPS lower-elevation bloom window, but a spectacular display is not dependable. Plan around the scenery and activities you want even if flowers are sparse.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (USC00042319), -194 feet. Normal high: 82.6°F (28.1°C); normal low: 57.1°F (13.9°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for Death Valley National Park (DEVA). The March 2025 count is 144,755. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.

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Independence

Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.

Last updated · 2026-10-15