Early spring · Weather & things to do
Shenandoah in March
Shenandoah warms up: highs climb to 47°F (9°C), from 38°F in February, with lows of 26°F (-3°C) and about 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 57/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 47°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.9 in (74 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 61%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What March feels like
It's cool, with highs near 47°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 26°F (-3°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are May – October.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 37°F.
- Comfort improves from 47/100 in February to 57/100.
- Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.9 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Shenandoah in March
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Old Rag Mountain
Rock-scramble summit hike, the park's most famous and toughest day hike.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring or fall.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail
Short, steep hike to a 70-foot cascade near Big Meadows.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring.
Hawksbill Summit
Highest point in the park, with a stone observation platform.
Skyline Drive
105-mile ridgetop road through Shenandoah National Park with 70 overlooks.
Pollock Dining Room at Skyland
Park lodge dining room with valley views and blackberry ice cream pie.
Nearby in March
- Richmond in March~85 mi · highs 57°F, 3.5 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Washington, DC in March~98 mi · highs 52°F, 3.3 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Williamsburg in March~129 mi · highs 57°F, 3.4 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Baltimore in March~131 mi · highs 51°F, 3.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~485 m to Shenandoah's ~787 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Shenandoah in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Shenandoah?
It's middling, scoring 57/100. The best months are May – October, at up to 85. Expect highs of 47°F (9°C) and 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Shenandoah in March?
Average highs are 47°F (9°C) and average lows 26°F (-3°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Shenandoah in March?
Some: about 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow falls across March on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 41.4 in (1051 mm).
What should I pack for Shenandoah in March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.9 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Shenandoah
Planning Shenandoah 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.