Things to Do in Salt Lake City in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Salt Lake City
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
55°F (12°C)
High Temp
36°F (2°C)
Low Temp
1.7 inches (43 mm)
Rainfall
60%
Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Snowbird and Alta keep the stoke alive straight through March. Twelve-meter (39 ft) powder days can still strike at month's end. Worth it.
- + Hotel and activity rates drop 30-40% after President's Day weekend. This is the sweet spot before spring break crowds swarm.
- + Inversion season ends mid-March. The valley's notorious winter smog lifts and the Wasatch Front snaps into sharp focus.
- + Temple Square's 250,000 tulips erupt the final week. The 10-acre complex becomes a photographer's playground minus summer crowds.
Considerations
- − Weather swings are brutal. Pack winter gear for 30°F (-1°C) mornings and spring layers for 60°F (16°C) afternoons. No exceptions.
- − The 'March Slush' strikes ski resorts after 2pm. Temperatures rise above freezing and pristine powder morphs into sticky mashed potatoes.
- − Spring break crowds from California invade the final ten days. Lift lines and restaurant waits in Park City double overnight.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Salt Lake City in March is a city in transition. The low winter sun begins to hold a bit more warmth, with afternoons sometimes reaching the mid-50s Fahrenheit, though mornings still carry a sharp chill and the Wasatch Range remains a crisp white line against the sky. The air feels damp with the promise of change, a noticeable shift from the dry cold of January. You will see puddles from melting snow in the gutters and hear the drip-drip of icicles from eaves in the historic Avenues neighborhood. Locals shed heavy parkas for lighter jackets, emerging to walk dogs along the still-bare branches of Liberty Park. This is the month to watch the weather, not fight it; a morning of low clouds can give way to an afternoon of brilliant, eye-squinting sunshine over the valley. The rhythm in Salt Lake City is one of anticipation, waiting for the high country snowpack to soften and the city's own gardens to stir. You can taste the tang of house-made pickles in a warm pastrami sandwich at a downtown deli, a local antidote to the variable conditions. The city's layout, with its wide streets and mountain vistas from nearly every corner, feels more navigable and intimate. Planning activities in Salt Lake City this month means embracing layers, both in clothing and in experience, moving from the otherworldly silence of the salt flats to the hum of a private tour winding through silent, snow-dusted canyons just outside the city limits.
Great Salt Lake Safari - Discover Antelope Island
otherThis guided journey crosses the long causeway to Antelope Island State Park, where the Great Salt Lake spreads out in a vast, mineral-blue expanse. You will see herds of shaggy bison grazing on tawny winter grasses and hear the lonely cry of California gulls wheeling overhead. The smell of sagebrush carried on a cool breeze mixes with the faint, sharp odor of the lake itself.
It is the most accessible way to encounter the scale and stark wildlife of the Great Salt Lake, a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville.
Insider tip: The causeway can be windy. Wear a windproof layer and secure any hats.
This month: March can offer clearer air before summer haze, providing sharp views of the Stansbury Mountains across the water.
Private Half-Day tour to Bonneville Salt Flats
guided_experienceThis tour transports you west across the desert to the Bonneville Salt Flats, a 30,000-acre crust of blinding white salt that creates the illusion of an endless frozen lake. You will feel the profound silence of the place, broken only by the crunch of salt crystals underfoot, and see your own shadow stretching across the well flat, cracked surface.
It delivers you to one of the most surreal and photogenic landscapes in North America, a place of pure geometric emptiness.
Insider tip: Wear sunglasses. The glare from the salt is intense even on overcast days.
This month: The salt crust is typically hard and dry in March, allowing for safe walking and driving onto the flats, unlike during wetter periods.
Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure
otherFocusing on the island's ecology, this expedition seeks out pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and many bird species with the help of an expert guide. You might hear the snort of a bison or the whistle of a northern harrier's wings, and see the distant sparkle of Salt Lake City's skyline from across the water.
It provides a concentrated, educational look at the resilient fauna that thrives in this harsh, impressive environment.
Insider tip: Bring binoculars for spotting coyotes and chukar partridges in the rocky foothills.
This month: Bison herds are often more visible in March as they move across the open grasslands before spring growth obscures them.
Private Tour through the Wasatch Back & Alpine Loop
private_tourThis driving tour ascends into the foothills and canyons east of Salt Lake City, following winding roads past frozen waterfalls and stands of leafless aspen. You will feel the temperature drop as you climb, see the granite peaks dusted with late-season snow, and smell the clean, cold scent of pine.
It has a personalized, comfortable way to witness the dramatic mountain scenery that forms the backdrop to Salt Lake City without requiring strenuous hiking.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the Guardsman Pass scenic overlook for a panoramic view of the Heber Valley.
This month: Some high-elevation sections of the Alpine Loop remain closed by snow in March. Your guide will adjust the route to accessible, impressive alternatives.
Explore Bonneville Salt Flats Journey to the Edge of the World
otherThis experience emphasizes the sensory disorientation and vast scale of the salt flats. You can stand in a place where the horizon line disappears, taste the dry, metallic air, and feel the peculiar texture of the salt under your palms.
It frames the visit as a philosophical exploration of emptiness and perspective, not just a scenic stop.
Insider tip: For a unique photo, bring a simple, colorful object to place on the salt; a red scarf or a blue bottle creates a striking contrast.
This month: The flat light of a cloudy March day can enhance the feeling of infinite, monochromatic space.
eBike Rental
adventureRenting an electric bicycle provides freedom to explore Salt Lake City's extensive network of urban trails, like the Jordan River Parkway or the downtown grid. You will feel a cool rush of air as you glide past historic temples and modern murals, hear the city's sounds from the quiet hum of your bike, and stop at will for a cup of hot cider.
It is an efficient, exhilarating way to cover more of the city's distinct neighborhoods and riverfront paths than walking allows.
Insider tip: Start your ride at the 9th and 9th district to explore its local shops and cafes before heading south along the trail.
This month: March weather is variable. Check the forecast and dress in layers, as a sunny start can turn into a chilly, windy ride.
Explore More Activities in Salt Lake City
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See All Salt Lake City Tours on ViatorWhere to Stay in Salt Lake City in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
Public Holidays in March
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Good Friday
A public holiday in these regions only: US-CT, US-DE, US-HI, US-IN, US-KY, US-LA, US-NC, US-ND, US-NJ, US-TN.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Salt Lake City Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the $15 resort parking. Ride the 30-minute UTA ski bus from downtown. Locals ride free with city passes while tourists pay $4.50 each way. Save cash.
Temple Square's south visitors' entrance hides heated sidewalks. Locals thaw frozen fingers here after morning photos. Secret spot.
The inversion lifts near March 15. Book canyon tours after that. Valley haze vanishes. Peaks snap into focus. Views sharpen overnight.
City Creek Center's food court sells the cheapest on-mountain meals. Locals nickname it "the tunnel." An underground walkway links it to TRAX. Ride straight from downtown.
Red Butte Garden waives admission the last Tuesday monthly. March delivers 10,000 daffodils at peak. You save $14. Free blooms.
Avoid These Mistakes
Salt Lake City sits at 1,300 m (4,300 ft). Uphill stairs feel brutal. Sea-level lungs protest. Expect huffing.
Hold off on ski lessons. March snow shifts weekly. Wait three to four days out. Avalanche forecast settles. Then commit.
Utah's "liquor locker" law bites. Restaurants need food to pour above 5% ABV. No quick apres-ski beers. Order appetizers first.
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