March is Phoenix's victory lap. The Sonoran Desert sits at a near-perfect 24°C (74°F) during the day, lows dip to a comfortable 10°C (49°F) at night, and the humidity hovers around 39%. It feels like the desert is showing off. This is also the month when 15 Major League Baseball teams descend on the Valley for Cactus League Spring Training, and roughly 2 million fans follow them. If winter rains were generous, the hillsides around South Mountain and the Superstition Wilderness turn an unlikely green, with brittlebush, Mexican gold poppies, and lupines carpeting the normally brown slopes.
That popularity comes at a cost. Hotel rates in Scottsdale and Tempe reach their annual peak in March, often 50-70% above the city's yearly average. Restaurant reservations in Old Town Scottsdale on a Saturday night need planning. The trailhead parking lot at Camelback Mountain fills before 7 AM on weekends. You are sharing this city with every snowbird from the Upper Midwest and every spring-break group from the Pacific Northwest.
To be fair, it earns every bit of that demand. The brutal 41°C (106°F) summers are months away. The monsoon storms of July and August are a distant forecast. March is when Phoenix functions the way its tourism board wishes it always did. The outdoor dining patios on Roosevelt Row are full at sunset, the canal paths through Arcadia are packed with joggers, and nobody is checking whether they left their car windows cracked. If you can absorb the peak pricing, this is the month.
Why visit in March
- Daytime highs near 24°C (74°F) with almost no rain, making every outdoor plan reliable for 30 consecutive days
- Cactus League Spring Training brings 15 MLB teams to 10 stadiums across the Valley, with affordable lawn seating available at most venues
- Desert wildflower blooms peak in mid-to-late March after good winter rains, turning South Mountain Park and the Superstition Wilderness into unlikely flower fields
- Humidity sits at 39%, so 24°C actually feels like 24°C, not the swampy version you get in the Southeast at the same temperature
- The full lineup of outdoor activities, from dawn hikes on Piestewa Peak to evening patio dining on Grand Avenue, operates at maximum capacity and hours
Worth knowing
- Peak-season hotel rates run 50-70% above Phoenix's annual average, with Scottsdale properties near spring training stadiums reaching their highest nightly rates of the year
- Popular trailheads like Echo Canyon (Camelback Mountain) and Piestewa Peak Summit fill their parking lots before 7 AM on weekends, sometimes requiring 30-45 minute waits
- Spring breakers from West Coast universities overlap with snowbird season and spring training crowds, making the Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale bar districts loud and congested Thursday through Sunday
- Pollen counts rise sharply in March as mesquite, mulberry, and olive trees bloom. If you have tree pollen allergies, you might struggle outdoors by late morning
Best for
Think twice if
March in Phoenix delivers the dry, warm weather the desert is supposed to have. Daytime highs average 24°C (74°F), which feels pleasant in the low humidity. Nights cool to around 10°C (49°F), enough to want a layer if you are eating outside after dark. Rainfall totals roughly 36mm across about 4 rainy days for the entire month, and those showers tend to pass quickly. Wind picks up occasionally in the afternoons, but nothing that disrupts plans. The sun is strong at this latitude even in spring. By late March, highs start creeping toward 27°C (80°F) on warmer days, a preview of the rapid escalation that takes April into the 30s.
Seasonal caution
- UV index reaches 7-8 in March, which is 'high' on the scale. Sunburn happens in under 30 minutes without sunscreen, even when the temperature feels mild
- Desert temperatures swing 14°C (25°F) between dawn and afternoon. A 7 AM hike that starts at 10°C (50°F) can finish at 24°C (75°F) by 10 AM. Carry more water than you think you need
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 5 | 32 |
| Feb | 21 | 8 | 18 |
| Mar | 24 | 10 | 36 |
| Apr | 30 | 15 | 2 |
| May | 35 | 20 | 2 |
| Jun | 41 | 26 | 7 |
| Jul | 42 | 29 | 74 |
| Aug | 40 | 28 | 51 |
| Sep | 38 | 25 | 38 |
| Oct | 32 | 18 | 35 |
| Nov | 25 | 11 | 19 |
| Dec | 20 | 8 | 36 |
Headline events
Cactus League Spring Training
Late February through late March (games nearly every day)
Fifteen MLB teams play over 200 games across 10 stadiums in the Phoenix metro area throughout March. The atmosphere is relaxed, the stadiums are small (7,000-12,000 seats), and you might see a future Hall of Famer warming up 15 feet from your lawn chair. It draws roughly 2 million total fans across the season.
Best things to do in March
Hike Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail
hikingThe 1.8-km trail gains 423 meters of elevation on its way to the 824-meter summit, with hand-and-foot scrambling sections near the top. The panoramic view of the Valley of the Sun from the summit takes in Four Peaks, the McDowell Mountains, and downtown Phoenix. March temperatures make the exposed rock faces tolerable, unlike the same hike in June when surface temperatures on the boulders can reach 65°C.
Highs of 24°C make the fully exposed, shadeless scramble comfortable. By May the same trail becomes a heat emergency risk.Booking tipArrive before 6:30 AM on weekends to find parking at the Echo Canyon trailhead. The lot holds roughly 80 cars and fills fast.
Catch a Cactus League game at Salt River Fields
sportsSalt River Fields at Talking Stick sits on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and serves as the spring training home for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The facility has 11 full practice fields visible from the concourse, so you can watch batting practice between innings. The Sonoran Desert backdrop behind the outfield fence is one of the more distinctive views in professional baseball.
The Cactus League season runs through late March, with games scheduled nearly every day. March tends to feature more roster regulars than February's early-camp games.Booking tipWeekday games draw smaller crowds and are easier to get into. Lawn seating fills up on weekends, so consider reserved seats for Saturday matchups.
Drive the Apache Trail (State Route 88)
scenic_driveThe 64-km route from Apache Junction to Theodore Roosevelt Dam passes through the Superstition Wilderness, with stops at Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat (population 6), and the dramatic cliff-side descent to Roosevelt Lake. The unpaved section between Tortilla Flat and Roosevelt Dam is slow going, roughly 35 km/h, but that is the point. March wildflower blooms line the road with Mexican gold poppies in good rain years.
Comfortable driving temperatures and the chance of Sonoran wildflower blooms along the route. Summer heat makes the shadeless, unpaved section unpleasant.Booking tipStart early in the morning to avoid afternoon crowds at Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the unpaved section.
Explore the Desert Botanical Garden
natureThe 56-hectare garden in Papago Park holds over 50,000 desert plants from arid regions worldwide, organized along 5 themed trails. The Wildflower Trail in March features native Sonoran species in bloom, and the garden extends evening hours for the spring season. The smell of creosote after the occasional rain shower is one of those distinctly Sonoran sensory moments.
Spring blooms peak in March, and the garden's wildflower trail is at its most colorful. Temperatures allow comfortable walking all day without the shade-hopping required in summer.Booking tipWeekday mornings before 10 AM are the least crowded. The garden tends to fill by late morning on weekends during March.
Kayak the Lower Salt River
water_sportsThe stretch of the Salt River below Saguaro Lake runs through the Tonto National Forest, with canyon walls rising on either side and wild horses occasionally visible on the riverbanks. The water is cold, typically around 13°C in March, but the air temperature makes the paddle comfortable. The route from Water Users Recreation Area to Phon D Sutton covers about 8 km and takes 2-3 hours.
River flow is typically adequate from winter runoff, and the 24°C air temperature balances the cold water. By summer, the section above Granite Reef Dam often runs dry.Booking tipSeveral outfitters in Mesa offer shuttle services. Book at least a few days ahead for weekend trips in March.
Walk the Roosevelt Row Arts District
cultureRoosevelt Row, known locally as RoRo, stretches along Roosevelt Street between 7th Avenue and 16th Street in downtown Phoenix. The district has over 90 murals on building exteriors, plus galleries, studios, and restaurants in converted bungalows and warehouses. The First Friday art walk on the first Friday of each month draws thousands to the 10-block stretch.
March evenings in the low 20s°C are perfect for outdoor gallery hopping and patio dining along the Row. Summer First Fridays still happen, but the 38°C heat keeps crowds smaller.Booking tipFirst Friday parking fills fast. The Valley Metro light rail stops at Roosevelt/Central Avenue, which drops you in the center of the district.
Golf at TPC Scottsdale
sportsTPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course hosts the WM Phoenix Open in February, and March is when the course reopens to public tee times with the grandstands still partially standing. The par-3 16th hole, which becomes a 20,000-seat amphitheater during the tournament, is still a distinctive hole even without the crowds. Scottsdale has over 200 golf courses within a 45-minute drive.
Post-tournament rates at top courses drop slightly from February's WM Phoenix Open peak, and the weather is ideal for 18 holes without heat risk.Booking tipBook tee times at least 2 weeks ahead for weekend rounds at popular courses. Twilight rates, typically starting after 2 PM, offer savings at most Scottsdale courses.
What to eat in March
In season: fruit
Navel and Cara Cara oranges
Arizona's citrus season peaks in February and March. Backyard orange trees across Phoenix produce more fruit than residents can eat, and you will find bags of navels and Cara Caras at farmers markets for a fraction of grocery store prices. The Cara Caras have a pink flesh with a berry-like sweetness.
Grapefruit from the Salt River Valley
March is the tail end of Arizona grapefruit season. The local Ruby Red varieties tend to be sweeter than what ships to the rest of the country because they stay on the tree longer. You will see them at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and at roadside stands along the Mesa-Gilbert border.
Medjool dates from the Yuma growing region
Arizona is one of the few U.S. states that grows dates commercially, and March is when the previous fall's harvest still fills local shelves. The Medjool variety has a caramel-like sweetness and a sticky, dense texture. You will find them at the Phoenix Public Market and specialty shops in the Melrose District.
Street food peaks
Sonoran hot dog
Available year-round, but March is when you actually want to stand at a street cart at 9 PM and eat one. The bacon-wrapped dog comes in a bolillo roll with pinto beans, grilled onions, tomatoes, jalapeño sauce, and a smear of mayo. The carts cluster along 16th Street and near spring training stadiums after games.
What to drink
Prickly pear margarita
The prickly pear cactus fruit gives this cocktail a magenta color and a tart, slightly floral flavor that tastes like nothing else. March weather makes patio bars along Scottsdale's Marshall Way and Cave Creek's frontier-style saloons the right setting for one.
Regular events in March
First Friday on Roosevelt RowFree
Phoenix's longest-running art walk fills Roosevelt Row on the first Friday of each month with open galleries, live music, food trucks, and street performers. Over 70 galleries and studios participate along the 10-block stretch. March's edition benefits from comfortable evening temperatures in the low 20s°C.
First Friday of MarchScottsdale Arts Festival
A 3-day juried fine art festival held at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, typically drawing over 150 artists working in painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, and jewelry. Live music on 2 stages and local restaurant booths fill the park grounds.
Mid-March weekend (Friday through Sunday)McDowell Mountain Music Festival
A 3-day outdoor music festival in Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix, with 3 stages featuring a mix of indie, rock, electronic, and hip-hop acts. The festival donates net proceeds to Phoenix-area charities.
Early to mid-MarchOstrich Festival in Chandler
Chandler's annual 3-day festival at Tumbleweed Park features ostrich races (yes, people ride them), a carnival midway, live music, and food vendors. The event has run since 1989 and draws over 100,000 attendees across the weekend.
Mid-March weekendMatsuri Festival of Japan
Held at Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix, this festival celebrating Japanese culture features taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremonies, and Japanese street food. The event has been running for over 40 years and typically draws 30,000-40,000 visitors.
Late February or early March (varies by year)Best places this March
South Mountain Park and Preserve
natureAt 6,500 hectares, South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The park has over 80 km of trails ranging from flat desert paths to rocky summit routes. The Dobbins Lookout viewpoint at 732 meters offers a 360-degree panorama of the Valley. March wildflower blooms color the lower slopes with brittlebush and globe mallow.
South PhoenixPapago Park
natureA 600-hectare park straddling Phoenix and Tempe, home to the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, and the distinctive red sandstone buttes visible from miles away. The Hole-in-the-Rock trail is a short, easy climb to a natural opening in the rock that frames the city skyline. It fills with photographers at sunset.
Central PhoenixOld Town Scottsdale
neighborhoodThe 20-block walkable core of Scottsdale runs along Scottsdale Road and 5th Avenue, with Western-themed storefronts alongside contemporary galleries and restaurants. The Scottsdale ArtWalk on Thursday evenings is a quieter alternative to Phoenix's First Friday. March foot traffic is at its annual peak here.
ScottsdaleHeard Museum
museumFounded in 1929, the Heard Museum on Central Avenue holds over 40,000 works of American Indian art and cultural artifacts. The permanent exhibition 'HOME: Native People in the Southwest' spans 10 galleries. The museum's annual Indian Fair & Market, which draws over 600 artists from over 100 tribes, typically falls in early March.
Central PhoenixTaliesin West
architectureFrank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio in the McDowell Mountains operated as his architectural school from 1937 until his death in 1959. The 243-hectare campus integrates native desert stone and concrete into low-slung structures that still feel ahead of their time. Guided tours run daily and cover the drafting studio, garden room, and Wright's private quarters.
North ScottsdaleTempe Town Lake and Mill Avenue
neighborhoodThe 2-mile-long reservoir on the Salt River in downtown Tempe connects to Mill Avenue's restaurant and bar district. Rent a kayak or pedal boat on the lake, then walk south to Mill Avenue for dinner. March evenings along the lake tend to be warm enough for outdoor dining without needing a jacket until after 9 PM.
TempeMusical Instrument Museum (MIM)
museumLocated in north Phoenix, MIM holds over 8,000 instruments from 200 countries and territories, organized by geography. Each display has a video screen showing the instrument being played, with wireless headphones so you hear only the exhibit you are standing at. The building itself covers over 17,000 square meters.
North PhoenixSuperstition Wilderness
natureEast of Apache Junction, the Superstition Wilderness covers over 64,000 hectares of rugged desert terrain anchored by the 1,534-meter Superstition Mountain. The Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle (3.8 km one way) offers a direct view into Weaver's Needle, the volcanic spire at the center of the Lost Dutchman legend. March is the best month for this hike, with comfortable temperatures and potential wildflower blooms.
East Valley / Gold Canyon
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Insider tips
The Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon trailhead parking lot enforces a 2.5-hour time limit with towing. If you are a slower hiker, use the Cholla Trail on the mountain's east side instead, which has less restricted parking.
Many Cactus League stadiums sell lawn seating, which tends to be the most affordable way in. Bring a blanket and arrive early to claim a spot with a sightline to the bullpen warmup area.
The canal paths that crisscross central Phoenix, particularly the Arizona Canal through Arcadia and the Grand Canal through Midtown, are flat, paved, and connect neighborhoods that would otherwise require driving. They are an underused alternative to the crowded mountain trailheads.
Scottsdale restaurant reservations for Friday and Saturday dinner should be made at least a week ahead in March. Walk-in availability drops sharply once spring training crowds arrive.
The Desert Botanical Garden sells timed-entry tickets and the earliest morning slot is the least crowded. The garden's Wildflower Trail loops through a curated patch that is easier to access than driving to scattered hillside blooms.
If you are driving the Apache Trail, fill your gas tank in Apache Junction. There are no gas stations between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam, a stretch of over 60 km.
Avoid these mistakes
- Underestimating sun exposure because 24°C does not feel hot. The UV index at Phoenix's latitude is high enough to cause sunburn in under 30 minutes, even when the air temperature feels mild.
- Starting a desert hike after 10 AM and carrying only one small water bottle. The temperature differential between morning and midday is 14°C, and shade is nonexistent on most Valley trails.
- Booking a hotel in Mesa or Chandler to save money, then spending 45 minutes each way in I-10 or Loop 101 traffic to reach Scottsdale restaurants and Old Town. March traffic in the Valley is noticeably worse than off-season months.
- Assuming spring training tickets will be available day-of for popular matchups. Games featuring the Dodgers, Cubs, or Giants against local teams sell out weeks ahead.
- Wearing sandals or open-toed shoes on desert trails. Cactus spines, loose gravel, and uneven rock surfaces make closed-toe footwear a safety necessity, not a preference.
Practical tips for March
Book accommodation and spring training tickets at least 6-8 weeks before your March trip. The Valley's peak-season pricing applies to hotels, rental cars, and even Airbnbs, so last-minute availability is limited and expensive. If you plan to hike Camelback or Piestewa Peak, start before 7 AM to beat both the parking crunch and the midday heat. Rent a car if you are staying outside of downtown Phoenix or Tempe, since Valley Metro light rail covers only a north-south corridor and most spring training stadiums, trailheads, and restaurants are spread across a metro area that spans 40 km east to west. Bring a refillable water bottle everywhere. The dry desert air at 39% humidity dehydrates faster than most visitors expect, and you might not feel thirsty until you are already behind on fluids. Restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale and along the Waterfront tend to enforce smart-casual dress codes, particularly for dinner. Pack at least one outfit that works for a sit-down meal.
FAQ
Is March a good time to visit Phoenix for outdoor activities?
March is widely considered the best month for outdoor activities in Phoenix. Daytime temperatures average 24°C (74°F) with minimal rain, which makes hiking, golfing, kayaking, and cycling comfortable all day. The same trails that become dangerous in summer due to 40°C-plus heat are at their most accessible in March. The tradeoff is that everyone else knows this too, so popular trailheads fill early and advance planning is necessary.
How far in advance should I book a hotel in Phoenix for March?
Booking 6-8 weeks ahead is a reasonable target for March. Spring training, snowbird season, and spring break overlap to create the highest hotel demand of the year. Scottsdale properties near Cactus League stadiums fill first. If your dates are flexible, arriving in the last week of March, after some spring training games have ended, can ease availability slightly.
What should I wear for hiking in Phoenix in March?
Moisture-wicking layers are the key. Start with a light fleece or long-sleeve shirt for the cool morning temperatures around 10°C (49°F), and plan to strip down to a t-shirt by mid-morning as it warms to 24°C. Closed-toe hiking shoes with good tread are necessary on rocky trails like Camelback and Piestewa Peak. A wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and SPF 50 sunscreen are non-negotiable given the high UV index.
Are there wildflowers in Phoenix in March?
It depends on winter rainfall. In years with above-average rain between November and February, the Sonoran Desert produces significant wildflower blooms in March, with Mexican gold poppies, lupines, brittlebush, and globe mallow coloring hillsides around South Mountain Park, the Superstition Wilderness, and along the Apache Trail. In dry winters, blooms are sparse. Local botanical organizations typically post bloom reports starting in late February.
Is the Cactus League worth attending if I am not a big baseball fan?
The Cactus League experience is as much about the atmosphere as the sport. The stadiums hold between 7,000 and 12,000 people, the vibe tends to be relaxed, and you are close enough to the field to hear players talking to each other. Lawn seating is a low-commitment way to spend an afternoon in the sun with food and drinks. That said, if you have no interest in baseball at all, the 3-hour time commitment might be better spent on a desert hike or the Apache Trail drive.
Do I need a rental car to get around Phoenix in March?
For most visitors, yes. The Phoenix metro area stretches over 40 km east to west, and major attractions like the Superstition Wilderness, TPC Scottsdale, and spring training stadiums in Surprise and Goodyear are not connected by public transit. The Valley Metro light rail runs a single north-south line that connects downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, which covers some dining and nightlife districts. Ride-share services work well within central Phoenix and Scottsdale but get expensive for cross-valley trips.
Things to Do in Phoenix in March
Free cancellation Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip
Outdoor experience — 2 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Small-Group or Private Grand Canyon with Sedona Tour from Phoenix
Day trip — 13 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV - Centipede Tour
Outdoor experience — 2 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Grand Canyon with Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon Van Tour
Day trip — 11 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Phoenix area Hot Air Balloon Ride on the Largest Balloon in USA
Outdoor experience — 4 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Ancient Ruins Tour - Guided Arizona Desert Tour by UTV
Outdoor experience — 3 hours, free cancellation.
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