OUR TOP 3 RECOMMENDED TOURS IN MARCH
Vibrant, freshly born leaves backlit in Zions scenic canyon
The Zion sunset tour in March provides scenes that are fleeting. The newly born foliage on the cottonwood trees in the canyon have a beautiful green hue with a bit of luminance to it. We also receive “cottonwood snow”, seeds which float like large snow flakes through the sky. Shooting these scenes with nice back-lighting can create a very whimsical looking Zion. In addition, March brings the onset of Zion National Parks spring-time wildflower bloom. While we rarely get large fields of wildflowers, the small patches, along with cacti with flower blooms always make for quality shooting.
Like we mentioned above, March can be a rather busy month of visitation in Zion. Our half-day slot canyon tour is a great way to escape the crowds and have a quite and intimate experience shooting in a completely fascinating environment. As active locals to this area, we’ve explored this region through our many years of living here, and we’re sharing our favorite off-the-beaten path canyons with you. This trip is much more of an experience than it is a tour. These canyons are special, and people feel it. You’ll love the experience just as much as you will the photo opportunities…. and yes, you will love those.
Zion slows down heavily after sunset. Spending time in the park during the dark hours is a great way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the canyon. Night photography opportunities in Zion are unique due to the parks proximity to the town of Springdale. The ambient light from town hits the cliffs, exposing them perfectly to showcase the detail and color in the red rock. Combined with our dark night skies, this situation makes for excellent astrophotography opportunities. Although the Milky Way is not yet visible, the thick blanket of stars that we get delivers high caliber Zion images.
Useful information from a locals perspective if you’re visiting in the month of March
The birds are vocal, the aroma in the park is elegant and daytime temperatures are very pleasant. The park also awakens with visitors. March is what locals consider to be the beginning of the season, and by mid-month visitation is in full visitation mode, which continues through the end of November. Over the past several years the park has become quite busy in March and April with families and students on spring break, so be prepared to share the park with others. Angels landing is extremely busy during this month. If you are planning on hiking the Narrows, be sure to check with the park to make sure that it is open just before your trip. With rising temperatures, the higher elevation snow will melt which then feeds the narrows with that water. If water levels get to a specific flow rate from the snow melt, Zion National park will close the narrows for safety purposes.
WEATHER
Temperatures are about as pleasant as they get in the desert during the month of March. The warm, baking sun with the combined air temperature makes time in Zion Canyon feel like paradise. March over the past several years has been a month that has allowed weather systems to roll through the area nicely. These systems, whether they drop rain or not, bring aesthetic gifts with them. The clouds that we see in March often times have beautiful, dramatic textures to them. A real treat for sunrise and sunset shooting.
Zion National Park average high/low temperature: 65/38
Bryce National Park average high/low temperature: 45/20
