If you’re dreaming of snow-capped peaks, soaking in hot springs, and powder days, Colorado in March is the place to be. March in Colorado is a wonderful time to visit to explore the best of what the state has to offer and make incredible memories in the mountains!
I’ve spent nearly 15 years living in Colorado now, and Colorado in March is full of exciting events and awesome adventures. As a long-time local, I want this guide to help you experience early spring in Colorado to the fullest.
About This Guide to Colorado in March
In this local guide to Colorado in March, you’ll find detailed expert advice on visiting during this early spring season. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Why visit Colorado in March
- Typical Colorado weather in March (including snow)
- Visiting Colorado during spring break
- Skiing in Colorado in March
- Cool events in Colorado in March
- The best things to do in Colorado in March
- Additional Colorado travel resources
Is March a Good Time to Visit Colorado?
Is Colorado worth visiting in March? Absolutely! March is one of the best times to visit Colorado. If you’re a skier, you’ll find some of the best skiing all winter in early March.
If you don’t ski, it’s still a great time to cozy up in a mountain town or explore the western Colorado desert before it gets too hot. And March is the perfect time to enjoy one of Colorado’s many amazing hot springs.
Local Tip: Lots of roads become impassable or are closed in the winter months – which includes March – so be sure to research where you plan to go to get the most up-to-date conditions.
What is Colorado Weather Like in March?
You should be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions in March in Colorado.
In fact, after spending some time in Colorado in March, you’ll understand why puffy jackets are ubiquitous around here – be sure to bring layers!
The average high in Denver in March is 56°F, but you might experience days much colder or warmer than that.
And if you’re planning to check out the Colorado mountain towns, expect the weather to be significantly colder at those higher elevations.
Wondering if there is snow in Colorado in March? March is one of Colorado’s snowiest months!
While Denver and the plains can be hit or miss for snow, you should fully expect snow in the mountains in March in Colorado.
Is Spring Break a Good Time to Go to Colorado?
You can have an awesome spring break in Colorado in March, but just know that you won’t be the only one visiting Colorado for spring break.
So expect the most popular Colorado destinations, including the ski resorts, to be crowded during spring break season.
Where to Ski in Colorado in March
Early March is one of the best times to ski in Colorado! The weather is warming up, so you’ll probably experience some great bluebird days. Plus, fresh powder is highly likely, since March gets a lot of snow in Colorado.
Local Tip: To avoid long lift lines, be sure to check spring break dates for Denver, Colorado Springs, and big cities in Texas (yes, Texans really do come out here all the time).
Here are some of the best ski resorts in Colorado to visit in March:
Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass is a mecca for spring skiing in March. Along with bluebird days and plenty of powder, lots of the lifts have later operating hours, and après is an especially good time as the weather warms up and the fun spring styles are out in full force!
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is a great place to ski in March with powder days, slush bumps, and lots of sun. Enjoy Fun Fest in the village on Saturdays, and bask on the sunny decks at the lodge when you need a break.
Copper Mountain
For a quick spring skiing getaway from Denver, Copper Mountain is convenient and offers great skiing with fresh snow in March. Copper Live, a free music festival, also takes place in March.
Night Skiing
Take advantage of night skiing to get even more laps in. Here are some the resorts that open the slopes after dark:
- Keystone – Fridays & Saturdays through March
- Steamboat Springs – Thursday through Sunday until March 24
- Granby Ranch – March 8/9 & 15/16
- Howelsen Hill – Night skiing included with standard lift ticket
- Echo Mountain – Wednesday through Saturday
Cool March Events in Colorado
Time your visit to Colorado in March to coincide with one of these exciting events!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
If you’re looking for the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Denver has you covered with lots of ways to celebrate.
The main event is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which runs through downtown, and there are also lots of bar crawls and holiday 5Ks around town. Colorado Springs also gets in on the green with a parade and other events as well.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
For a super quirky festival on the Front Range, check out Frozen Dead Guy Days in mid-March.
After being held for many years in Nederland, the famous coffin races, polar plunge, and Royal Blue Ball now take place in Estes Park.
Monte Vista Crane Festival
One of the unique things to do in Colorado in March is attend the Monte Vista Crane Festival. This festival takes place in the San Luis Valley and celebrates the migration of Sandhill Cranes.
Watching the cranes fly by with a backdrop of stunning mountains is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Denver Restaurant Week
Indulge in Denver Restaurant Week, which celebrates its 20th anniversary from March 1-10, 2024.
Restaurants around town feature multi-course meals at several different price points, so foodies can enjoy a variety of tasty meals at local culinary hotspots.
The Best Things to Do in Colorado in March
If you’re not one to hit the slopes, here are a bunch of fun things to do in Colorado in winter besides ski!
Soak in the Hot Springs
One of the best things to do in Colorado in any season is soak in the hot springs, but it’s extra nice to relax in the warm water in March. Some of the best hot springs in Colorado include:
- Glenwood Springs – With quick access from the Front Range, a weekend getaway to Glenwood Springs is a must-do. We love coming here because the main hot springs are very kid-friendly. Our toddler loves to splash and play – even in winter!
- Strawberry Park – Strawberry Park features a natural setting near Steamboat Springs, making it an oasis in the mountains. While it’s family-friendly during the day, at night it is clothing optional, and there are no lights after dark.
- Orvis – Orvis is by far my favorite hot spring in Colorado. It’s low-key and relaxing. My favorite visit was during a winter blizzard – totally magical to be in steamy water while the snow is falling!
Explore Garden of the Gods
The red sandstone formations are always gorgeous, but seeing Garden of the Gods dusted in snow is other-worldly!
Most of the Garden of the Gods hiking trails are easy and a lot of them link together, so you can choose your own adventure to explore the park.
Take a Winter Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
For a classic Colorado adventure in March, head to Rocky Mountain National Park to find some of the best winter hikes in Colorado.
The hike to Emerald Lake is a must-do, and it’s especially cool when the lakes are frozen over.
Local Tip: Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in winter is nice because you’ll encounter fewer crowds, and you don’t need a timed entry reservation. However, be aware that Trail Ridge Road closes in winter.
Get Away to the Mountain Town of Durango
If you want the full winter mountain town experience in Colorado in March, you’ll find lots of fun things to do in Durango.
Take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the San Juan National Forest to get an awesome perspective on the area.
Road Trip to Colorado National Monument
March is the perfect time to visit Colorado National Monument, one of the most underrated Colorado attractions before it gets too hot in the summer.
The hikes at Colorado National Monument take you through a stunning desert landscape of incredible red rock formations.
Since it’s located on the west side of Colorado near the border of Utah, Colorado National Monument is also a great stop on a Denver to Moab road trip.
Watch a Game at Ball Arena
If you’re a sports fan (or the weather is especially bad), head to Ball Arena in Denver to catch a game. The arena is home to the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.
Additional Colorado Travel Resources
Visiting Colorado in March? Check out these handy resources to exploring the state:
