Early spring · Weather & things to do
Indiana Dunes in March
Indiana Dunes warms up: highs climb to 46°F (8°C), from 35°F in February, with lows of 29°F (-2°C) and about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 54/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (62 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Cool days top out near 46°F (8°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 2.4 in (62 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are September.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 39°F.
- Comfort improves from 45/100 in February to 54/100.
- Our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends May – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Indiana Dunes in March
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Great Marsh Trail
Flat loop through restored wetlands, good for birding.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring migration.
3 Dune Challenge
1.5-mile climb over the state park's three tallest dunes, 552 vertical feet in sand.
Chellberg Farm and Bailly Homestead
Restored 1880s Swedish farmstead and fur-trader homestead linked by trails.
West Beach
Lifeguarded national park beach with views of the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan.
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Joint national and state park visitor center for maps, passes and trail conditions.
Nearby in March
- Chicago in March~34 mi · highs 41°F, 2.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Holland in March~92 mi · highs 39°F, 2.5 in rain · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Milwaukee in March~105 mi · highs 43°F, 2.3 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Broad Ripple in March~132 mi · highs 50°F, 3.5 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer 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.
Indiana Dunes in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Indiana Dunes?
It's middling, scoring 54/100. The best months are September, at up to 88. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain. Our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends May – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Indiana Dunes in March?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Indiana Dunes in March?
Some: about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.7 in (984 mm).
What should I pack for Indiana Dunes in March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Indiana Dunes
Planning Indiana Dunes in March?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.