Yosemite Weather in March

March in Yosemite sits at the seam between winter and spring. Mornings can still start below freezing while afternoons climb into the high 50s, and the Valley floor swings between sun, cloud, and rain within the same day. It's an unpredictable month weather-wise, but that's part of the appeal: crowds are thin, waterfalls are gaining strength by the week, and you get a quieter, slower version of the park that most visitors never see. The high country is still locked under snow and off-limits by road, so this is very much a Valley-floor month — and a good one for it.

Expect Valley-floor highs around 58°F and overnight lows near 32°F, with March averaging about 5.5 inches of precipitation and roughly 8 inches of snow across the month — much of it falling as rain at the Valley's 4,000-foot elevation and as snow higher up. Sun hours average around 12 a day, but skies shift between clear and overcast quickly, so don't plan a full day around one forecast. In the high country near Tuolumne Meadows, around 8,600 feet, temperatures run 20–30°F colder than the Valley floor, and that terrain stays snowed in well into spring.

March is one of the quietest months to visit Yosemite Valley — trails, parking, and popular viewpoints see a fraction of summer's foot traffic, and you can often walk right up to spots that require an early alarm clock in July. The trade-off is timing: this is still a warming-up month, and Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are both closed for the winter, so the high country isn't part of the picture yet. Plan around the Valley floor and lower-elevation areas, where the low crowds make for relaxed exploring, easy parking, and quiet trails even at midday.

March activities center on the Valley floor. Waterfalls are building toward their late-May or early-June peak, so Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and the lower stretch of the Mist Trail are already running strong and growing louder by the week. It's a solid month for photography and wildlife viewing, with flat, largely snow-free trails like the Valley Loop and Cook's Meadow open for easy walking. What's off the table for now: Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road are both still closed, so Sentinel Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, and any high-country trailhead are out of reach until the roads reopen, typically not before May.

Pack in layers — a 58°F afternoon can follow a 32°F morning, and that swing shows up daily in March. A rain jacket is essential, since the month averages 5.5 inches of precipitation, often falling as a cold, steady rain on the Valley floor even while it's snowing higher up. Bring waterproof footwear, since spring runoff turns many trails muddy and puddled, and trekking poles help on slick, saturated ground near the waterfalls. Don't skip sunscreen (SPF 50+) — March sun is stronger than it looks, especially on open granite and any remaining patches of reflective snow.

Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road remain closed through March; both typically reopen sometime between late May and June depending on that year's snowpack, so check current status at nps.gov/yose before planning around the high country. Valley-floor roads and trails are generally in good shape, though expect mud, puddles, and occasional icy patches in shaded spots during cold snaps. If you gain any elevation at all, remember that the high country runs 20–30°F colder than the Valley floor, so pack accordingly even for a short detour. Waterfall flows are increasing through the month, so stay behind railings and away from the water's edge near Vernal Fall and the base of Yosemite Falls — currents only strengthen as spring progresses.