Redwood in March.

Crowd snapshot.

March averages about 31,900 recreation visits in the five-year mean, roughly 34% of June and the first clear step up from the winter low. It is still a low month. Campgrounds have room: Jedediah Smith stays first-come, first-served through April, Mill Creek is closed, and Elk Prairie and Gold Bluffs Beach take reservations on ReserveCalifornia. The count covers Redwood National Park itself; the three state parks are counted separately.

Weather snapshot.

The Klamath station averages a March high near 56.7°F and a low near 40.2°F, with about 10.7 inches of precipitation. NPS puts the storm season at October through April, so March is still inside it. The station's snowfall normal is zero. On March 21, the sun rises around 7:17 a.m. and sets around 7:30 p.m. near the center of the park, per the U.S. Naval Observatory, so days are much longer than in December. Trails stay muddy, so wear non-slip shoes.

Access snapshot.

Main roads are listed open on the NPS conditions page, which says any road it doesn't list is open. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway can still close for days after storms and closes to cars on March's first Saturday for Bike and Hike Day. NPS's scenic drives page keeps Cal-Barrel Road closed to vehicles in winter. Davison Road to Gold Bluffs Beach needs no reservation until May 15, but it has two stream crossings, high clearance is recommended, and RVs over 24 feet and trailers aren't permitted. The Tall Trees Trailhead needs a free online reservation all year. Mill Creek Campground opens in mid-May; book the others on ReserveCalifornia. Redwood National Park charges no entrance fee.

Seasonal events.

March opens the peak of the gray whale migration, which NPS says runs from March through May. Crescent Beach Overlook near Crescent City and Klamath River Overlook are two places NPS suggests for looking, so bring binoculars. Roosevelt elk are still in the valleys, and calving doesn't start until late May. Fern Canyon has no footbridges yet, since they go in from June to September, so expect to wade Home Creek. Stay well back from the surf line, since NPS warns sneaker waves can run hundreds of feet up the beach.

Audience verdict.

March suits whale watchers and visitors who want low crowds and can handle rain. It is a transition month, still wet but with longer days than winter. Families can pair a whale watch at an overlook with short grove walks and a visitor center stop. RV travelers should check road notes first: NPS doesn't recommend Requa Road to the Klamath River Overlook for RVs or trailers, and Mill Creek Campground is closed. Keep your plans loose, since a late storm can still close the parkway.

Common questions.

Is March a good time to visit Redwood?

March runs moderately busy at Redwood, about 34% of the June peak, with mild shoulder-season weather (average highs near 57°F). Crowds sit in the middle of the year, neither peak nor empty.

How crowded is Redwood in March?

March averages about 31,915 recreation visits, roughly 34% of Redwood's busiest month (June). That lands it in the middle of Redwood's year for crowds.

How much of Redwood is open in March?

In a typical March, about 85% of Redwood's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.

Methodology

Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits (Redwood National Park), the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. These counts cover Redwood National Park (the NPS-administered lands); the three cooperatively managed California state parks are counted separately, and the 2024-2025 totals reflect an improved NPS counting method rather than real growth, so the reliable timing signal is the month-to-month share of the peak. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Klamath, CA (station USC00044577, 28 ft elevation, coastal lowland). The access score weights how much of the road network is typically drivable that month; Redwood's main roads have no closing season, so the winter dip is our estimate of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway's winter storm closures and first-Saturday Bike and Hike Days. Seasonal specifics (the Fern Canyon reservation window, Mill Creek Campground's season, visitor center hours) can change; confirm current details on the official NPS Redwood page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.