Olympic in March: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 64/100 · #5 of 12 months
March is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Olympic National Park: crowds run 21% of the August peak (133,353 average visits), days average 51°F with 11.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in March
Olympic averages 133,353 recreation visits in March — 21% of what August, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — this is genuine quiet-season territory.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 51°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 36°F). This is one of the wetter months (17.2″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11.8 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US (13 mi from park coordinates, 286 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of March.
What to pack for Olympic in March
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 36°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 17.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Olympic are April and May.
Also at their best in March
Other parks whose computed March verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Great Basin in March — 10% of peak crowds, highs 48°F, score 81/100
- Shenandoah in March — 23% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 78/100
- Wind Cave in March — 15% of peak crowds, highs 50°F, score 78/100
- Mesa Verde in March — 17% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 77/100
Common questions
Is Olympic crowded in March?
No — March is one of the quieter months: 21% of the August peak, averaging 133,353 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Olympic in March?
Average highs of 51°F, lows of 36°F, 17.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US station).
What should I pack for Olympic in March?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in March · Last verified 2026-09-12