Early spring · Weather & things to do
Badlands National Park in March
Badlands National Park warms up: highs climb to 51°F (10°C), from 38°F in February, with lows of 26°F (-4°C) and about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 66/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 51°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.9 in (24 mm)
- Humidity
- 62%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 38 min
- Comfort score
- 66/100 · Good
What March feels like
Afternoons only reach about 51°F (10°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 26°F (-4°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are May and September & October.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 34°F.
- Last dry month before the rain picks up: April brings 2.0 in (50 mm).
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 7°C (13°F) from February.
- Comfort improves from 48/100 in February to 66/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 51°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Badlands National Park in March
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Main park visitor center with a fossil prep lab and orientation film.
Why now March scores 66/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant
The park's only restaurant, known for Indian tacos and bison burgers.
Why now Highs near 51°F and 0.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Sage Creek Rim Road
Gravel road past Roberts Prairie Dog Town and frequent bison herds.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Badlands Loop Road
SD Highway 240 through the park, with overlooks every few miles.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
Short accessible boardwalk with fossil replicas of ancient mammals.
Nearby in March
- Black Hills in March~64 mi · highs 43°F, 1.1 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Medora in March~219 mi · highs 45°F, 0.8 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in March~297 mi · highs 34°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 9°C (17°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Badlands National Park in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Badlands National Park?
It's middling, scoring 66/100. The best months are May and September & October, at up to 96. Expect highs of 51°F (10°C) and 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Badlands National Park in March?
Average highs are 51°F (10°C) and average lows 26°F (-4°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Badlands National Park in March?
Not much: about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow falls across March on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 16.9 in (429 mm).
What should I pack for Badlands National Park in March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 51°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Badlands National Park
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