Year calendar · 49 places
Marchwhat's in season
What's in season in March?
March is wildflowers, cherry blossoms, desert superbloom and Texas bluebonnets season at the places we track. Wildflowers is in its usual window at 14 places, the most in the week of Mar 15–21 (14), from Point Reyes (Feb 1–Aug 31) to Shenandoah (Mar 21–Jun 30). Cherry blossoms: US National Arboretum (Mar 1–Apr 30), Seattle (Mar 21–Apr 10) and Baltimore (Fort McHenry) (Mar 24–Apr 7) and 1 more. Desert superbloom: Joshua Tree (Jan 1–Apr 20), Death Valley (Feb 11–Apr 10) and Carrizo Plain (Mar 21–Apr 10). Starting this month: cherry blossoms at Baltimore (Fort McHenry) and cherry blossoms at US National Arboretum. Coming in April: tulips, from Washington, DC (Apr 1–Apr 20).
Updated Sep 28. Sources: National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab), US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Peaking in March
Wildflowers
14 places in March · 12 start this month
California
- Point ReyesLocal timing: Feb 1–Aug 31
- Lava BedsLocal timing: Mar 1–Sep 30
- PinnaclesMar 1–May 31
- YosemiteLocal timing: Mar 1–Aug 31
Washington
- North CascadesLocal timing: Feb 21–Sep 10
Kentucky
- Mammoth CaveLocal timing: Mar 1–May 31
- Daniel Boone National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–Apr 30
Mississippi
- Natchez Trace Parkway, MississippiLocal timing: Mar 1–May 31
North Carolina
- Nantahala National ForestLocal timing: Mar 15–May 15
- Pisgah National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–May 15
Tennessee
- Cherokee National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–May 31
Ohio
- Cuyahoga ValleyLocal timing: Mar 21–May 15
Virginia
- George Washington and JeffersonLocal timing: Mar 21–May 31
- ShenandoahLocal timing: Mar 21–Jun 30
Cherry blossoms
4 places in March · 4 start this month
District of Columbia
- US National ArboretumMar 1–Apr 30
- Washington, DCMar 25–Apr 7
Washington
- SeattleLocal timing: Mar 21–Apr 10
Maryland
- Baltimore (Fort McHenry)Mar 24–Apr 7
Desert superbloom
3 places in March · 1 starts this month
California
- Joshua TreeJan 1–Apr 20
- Death ValleyFeb 11–Apr 10
- Carrizo PlainMar 21–Apr 10
Texas bluebonnets
2 places in March · 1 starts this month
Texas
- Big BendLocal timing: Feb 1–Mar 31
- LBJ National Historical ParkLocal timing: Mar 1–Apr 30
Also in March
Blooms, blossoms and green-up
Starting in March
- Cherry blossoms Baltimore (Fort McHenry) · Mar–Apr
- Cherry blossoms US National Arboretum · Mar–Apr
- Cherry blossoms Washington, DC · Mar–Apr
- Cove wildflowers Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina · Mar–May
- Deciduous magnolias (early spring) US National Arboretum · Mar
- Early spring wildflowers (middle section) Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi · Mar–Apr
- Early spring wildflowers (Tennessee section) Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee · Mar–May
- Green-up Baltimore (Fort McHenry) · Mar–Apr
And 21 more.
Still going at 10 places: wildflowers (5 places), green-up (4 places), earliest bloomers (warrior's plume, shooting stars).
Festivals and night skies
Starting in March
- Cherry Blossom Festival Washington, DC · Mar–Apr
- Maple Sugar Time Indiana Dunes · Mar
- Wildflower tours Carrizo Plain · Mar–May
Snow and winter
Starting in March
- Bluebonnets LBJ National Historical Park · Mar–Apr
Still going at 25 places: brainard lake ski and snowshoe season, groomed ski trails, snowshoers welcome, big bend bluebonnets.
Out and about
Starting in March
- Bee Rock (Pulaski side) open Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky · Mar–Nov
- Coleman Lake open Talladega National Forest, Alabama · Mar–Dec
- Heron nesting, Marshall Terrace Park Mississippi River, Minneapolis–St. Paul · Mar–Jul
- Lake Chinnabee day-use area open Talladega National Forest, Alabama · Mar–Dec
- One of the best times to visit Congaree National Park, South Carolina · Mar–May
- Redbud Campground open Shawnee National Forest, Illinois · Mar–Dec
- Rimrock Overlook open Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania · Mar–Dec
- Sandhill cranes Great Sand Dunes · Mar
And 6 more.
Still going at 15 places: campgrounds full every night, visitor center open, best hiking.
Know before you go
Starting in March
- Horse trails closed (mud) Finger Lakes National Forest, New York · Mar–Apr
- Mud season across Vermont Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont · Mar–Apr
- Mud season across Vermont Stowe, Vermont · Mar–Apr
- Off-trail areas closed for nesting Iroquois Refuge · Mar–Sep
- Painted Rock closed Carrizo Plain · Mar–Jul
- Snake Road closed to cars Shawnee National Forest, Illinois · Mar–May
- Stay on designated trails and roads (Mar 1–Aug 15) Turnbull Refuge · Mar–Aug
Still going at 18 places: forest roads closed (2 places), boulder canyon raptor nesting closures, timon and rod & gun campgrounds closed.
Sources (12)
- National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, What's Blooming Now? (cherry tour) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Bloom Watch: bloom stage dates by year ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US National Arboretum, Holly and Magnolia Collections ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Finding Flowers on the Natchez Trace ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Big Bend blue to purple wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Capitol Reef orchards ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Blooming season at Pinnacles ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Hike the Pitcher Plant Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where are wildflowers in March?
At the places we track: Point Reyes, California (local timing Feb 1–Aug 31); North Cascades, Washington (local timing Feb 21–Sep 10); Lava Beds, California (local timing Mar 1–Sep 30); Mammoth Cave, Kentucky (local timing Mar 1–May 31); Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Mississippi (local timing Mar 1–May 31); Pinnacles, California (usually Mar 1–May 31); and 8 more on this page.
Where are cherry blossoms in March?
At the places we track: US National Arboretum, District of Columbia (usually Mar 1–Apr 30); Seattle, Washington (local timing Mar 21–Apr 10); Baltimore (Fort McHenry), Maryland (usually Mar 24–Apr 7); Washington, DC, District of Columbia (usually Mar 25–Apr 7).
What festivals are in March?
Cherry Blossom Festival at Washington, DC (Mar–Apr); Maple Sugar Time at Indiana Dunes (Mar); Wildflower tours at Carrizo Plain (Mar–May). Dates change each year; each place page links its source.
What should I know before a trip in March?
Finger Lakes National Forest, New York: horse trails closed (mud); Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont: mud season across vermont; Stowe, Vermont: mud season across vermont; Iroquois Refuge: off-trail areas closed for nesting; Carrizo Plain: painted rock closed.