Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Yellowstone National Park
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Wildlife viewing is exceptional - bison, elk, and wolves are concentrated in lower elevation valleys where snow is manageable, making them easier to spot than summer's dispersed herds. The Lamar Valley becomes a natural theater with dark animals against white snow.
- Crowds are minimal to nonexistent - you'll have Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone essentially to yourself. No jockeying for parking spots or boardwalk space. March sees roughly 25,000 visitors compared to July's 900,000.
- Winter scenery is otherworldly - thermal features create dramatic steam columns in the cold air, ice formations frame waterfalls, and snow-covered landscapes look genuinely prehistoric. The contrast between frozen terrain and boiling geysers is something you simply cannot experience in summer.
- Accommodation prices drop significantly - lodges that charge 280-350 USD per night in July run 180-220 USD in March. Gardiner and West Yellowstone hotels are 40-50% cheaper than peak season, and you can actually book quality places with just 2-3 weeks notice.
Considerations
- Most of the park is completely closed - only the northern road from Gardiner to Cooke City via Mammoth and Tower remains plowed for regular vehicles. You cannot drive to Old Faithful, Canyon, or Lake areas without booking expensive snowcoach or snowmobile tours (200-400 USD per person).
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable and potentially dangerous - temperatures can swing 17°C (30°F) in a single day, whiteout conditions appear within minutes, and roads close without warning. You need serious winter driving experience and proper equipment. This is not the trip for casual visitors uncomfortable with winter conditions.
- Services are extremely limited - most visitor centers are closed, only two lodges operate (Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge), restaurants are sparse, and cell service is virtually nonexistent. If something goes wrong, you are genuinely remote.
Best Activities in March
Lamar Valley Wildlife Watching
March is peak wolf viewing season in Lamar Valley. The Junction Butte and Wapiti Lake packs are active and visible, especially early morning between 6:30-9:00 AM when they hunt elk. Bison herds concentrate near the road where snow is packed down, and you will see hundreds of them. The cold keeps animals in predictable locations near thermal areas and lower elevations. Bring binoculars or rent a spotting scope - animals maintain 91 m (100 yard) minimum distance. The drive from Mammoth to Lamar Valley takes about 90 minutes one-way on the only open road corridor.
Old Faithful Snowcoach Tours
The only way to reach Old Faithful in March is via snowcoach - heated cabin vehicles on tracks that traverse the 48 km (30 mile) unplowed road from Mammoth or West Yellowstone. You will see Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and other thermal features with almost zero crowds and maximum steam drama in the cold air. Tours run daily and take 8-10 hours total including 3-4 hours exploring the geyser basins on boardwalks. The experience of standing alone at Grand Prismatic in March is worth the cost - you simply cannot replicate this in summer.
Cross-Country Skiing at Mammoth Hot Springs
The Mammoth area offers groomed and ungroomed ski trails ranging from 3-13 km (2-8 miles) with stunning views of terraces, thermal features, and wildlife. Upper Terrace Loop is a gentle 2.4 km (1.5 mile) route perfect for beginners, while Blacktail Plateau Drive offers advanced skiers 11 km (7 miles) of rolling terrain. March snow is typically well-packed and stable, though late March can get slushy by afternoon. Ski rentals available at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel for 25-35 USD per day. You will likely see elk and possibly bison near thermal areas where snow melts.
Snowmobile Tours to Canyon or Old Faithful
Snowmobiling offers faster access to interior park areas than snowcoaches and provides more freedom to stop for wildlife and thermal features. Guided tours (required - no independent snowmobiling allowed) run from West Yellowstone or Mammoth to Old Faithful, Canyon, or custom routes. You will cover 80-160 km (50-100 miles) in a day depending on route. March conditions are generally excellent with packed snow and improving weather compared to January-February. Tours provide insulated suits, boots, gloves, and helmets. Physically moderate but requires comfort controlling a snowmobile.
Photography at Thermal Features
March creates the most dramatic thermal feature photography of the year. Steam columns rise 30-60 m (100-200 ft) in the cold air, ice formations frame hot springs, and low-angle winter light provides rich colors. Mammoth Hot Springs terraces are accessible by car and boardwalk, offering colorful travertine formations with ice and steam. Norris Geyser Basin (accessible via snowcoach or snowmobile) provides otherworldly landscapes. Early morning between 6:30-8:30 AM offers peak steam production when air is coldest. Bring extra batteries - cold drains them rapidly.
Soaking at Boiling River
Boiling River is the only legal hot spring soaking spot in Yellowstone where a thermal stream meets the cold Gardner River, creating natural hot pools. The 0.8 km (0.5 mile) walk from the parking area follows a packed trail. Soaking in 40°C (104°F) water while surrounded by snow and steam is surreal. March crowds are minimal - you might have pools to yourself on weekdays. Open dawn to dusk. Water temperature varies by location in the pools, so move around to find your comfort zone. Rocks are slippery, and the cold air on wet skin is intense when you exit.
March Events & Festivals
Winter Season Transition Period
March marks the shift from full winter operations to spring preparation. Roads begin plowing for the late April opening, and you might witness the fascinating process of massive rotary plows clearing 3-6 m (10-20 ft) snow drifts. Wildlife becomes more active with longer daylight and early breeding behaviors. Not a formal event, but the transitional energy is palpable - you are seeing the park wake up.