Back to the full Top 10
#3 on this list
Death Valley National Park
California
Last comfortable month before triple-digit heat returns.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#4 on this list
Big Bend National Park
Texas
Desert wildflowers and warm days; the season's sweet spot.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Death Valley National Park | Big Bend National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Eastern California and Nevada border | Brewster County, Texas |
| March Highs | 78°F to 84°F at basin floor | — |
| March Lows | 50°F to 55°F overnight | — |
| Elevation Range | -282 ft to 11,049 ft (Telescope Peak) | — |
| Backcountry Permits | Free online registration via Recreation.gov | Required via Recreation.gov or visitor center |
| Entry Fee | $30 per private vehicle (7-day pass) | — |
| Land Area | — | 801,163 acres |
| Highest Elevation | — | Emory Peak (7,825 feet) |
| March Weather | — | Highs 70°F to 85°F; lows 40°F to 55°F |
| Nearest Airport | — | Midland/Odessa (230 miles north) |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Death Valley National Park
- Ideal daytime temperatures before lethal summer heat sets in
- Spectacular star-gazing with designated Gold-Tier International Dark Sky status
- Massive open wilderness with virtually limitless off-trail route finding
- Rare chance to view desert wildflowers and active pupfish breeding
- Severe spring windstorms bring blinding dust and rapid dehydration
- Extremely long driving distances between trailheads with expensive fuel
- Sharp gravel roads demand high-clearance vehicles and puncture-resistant tires
Big Bend National Park
- March temperatures avoid the lethal triple-digit heat of late spring and summer
- Exceptional night sky clarity with virtually zero regional light pollution
- Striking contrast between pine-forested peaks and sheer river canyon walls
- Early spring wildflower blooms line desert washes and roadside flats
- Spring break visitors push campgrounds and popular trailheads to absolute capacity
- Backcountry natural water sources are dry, foul, or strictly off-limits to collection
- Remote location requires hours of driving with zero cellular reception or towing services
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.