Things to Do in Juneau in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Juneau
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
35°F (2°C)
High Temp
26°F (-3°C)
Low Temp
8.0 inches (203 mm)
Rainfall
74%
Humidity
⚠ Extreme heat, plan outdoor activities for early morning
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March owns the aurora calendar. With 18-20 clear, dark nights out of 31, you finally get the northern lights show that October teased. Drive fifteen minutes beyond the sodium glow and the sky performs.
- + By March 1st the winter rush has evaporated. Mendenhall Glacier's ice caves echo with your own footsteps, the tram loads without queuing, and locals still greet you with curiosity instead of fatigue.
- + Mount Roberts still carries 3.5 m (11.5 ft) of settled snow in early March, giving backcountry skiers and snowshoers a firm, forgiving surface. Thermometers finally nudge above freezing, so you can linger without turning rigid.
- + Daylight surges from 10.5 to 13 hours during March. That extra slice of evening lets you stay on glacier hikes until 7:30 PM, leaving headlamps in the pack instead of strapping them on at 4 PM.
- + Wildlife reawakens. Black bears shuffle out of dens, mountain goats descend to browse lower slopes, and orca pods chase herring slicks right into Auke Bay. March is the payoff month for anyone with binoculars.
Considerations
- − Shoulder season brings organized chaos. One week the town rocks ski season, the next it sinks into mud season. Half the winter outfitters shutter by mid-month while summer crews haven't yet fired up their engines.
- − March can't decide between snow and rain. March 15th may deliver 15 cm (6 inches) of fresh powder. Yet March 20th can melt it into ankle-deep slush downtown overnight.
- − Ferry service tightens. Only two boats run daily to Haines/Skagway instead of four, and the evening sailing often disappears when weather throws a tantrum.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Juneau is the city at its most honest. Winter hasn't quite released its grip. Average temperatures sit a few degrees warmer than January and February. But April and May remain distant promises. The snowpack on surrounding peaks holds firm. Daylight stretches longer now. You will notice the shift in rhythm. Locals prepare boats in the harbor. They anticipate summer fishing fleets. Others hit quieter trails before tourists arrive. The pace feels intimate, tied to natural cycles rather than scheduled events. This month suits travelers who want coastal Alaska raw and transitional. The air carries a crisp bite. The landscape feels vast and undisturbed. Juneau answers the search for things to do in Alaska in March with environment-driven activities. Cool weather persists. Reduced rainfall compared to later months brings clearer skies over waterways. Early marine life returns. Questions about what to do in Juneau in one day resolve around two draws: frozen rivers of glacial ice and rich marine habitats offshore. Juneau beaches aren't for lounging. Frost lines the shores, not sunbathers. Attention turns inland to glaciers and upward to mountain vistas. Fewer crowds mean personal encounters with guides. The scenery feels largely yours.
Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View
otherThis tour combines two of Juneau's most dramatic natural spectacles into a single, easy journey. You will feel the deep rumble of calving ice echoing across the water before boarding a vessel to search for the misty exhalations of humpback whales. The view of the Mendenhall Glacier's blue face from the water provides a perspective few visitors experience.
It delivers the classic Southeast Alaska encounter, pairing the monumental stillness of ancient ice with the dynamic energy of marine giants in their spring feeding grounds.
Insider tip: Position yourself on the boat's upper deck, if available, for an unimpeded view. The cooler March air is sharp. But you will hear the slap of a whale's tail and see the glacier's full height without obstruction.
Alaska Whale Watching Cruise: 3 Hours on the Water
cruiseDedicate three full hours to navigating the nutrient-rich channels around Juneau, where the concentration of herring and krill begins to attract hungry whales in early spring. You will smell the salty, mineral scent of the ocean spray and see the dark, arching backs of humpbacks breaking the steel-gray surface of the water. The focused time on the water increases your chances of witnessing complex behaviors like bubble-net feeding.
This extended cruise has a serious, immersive focus on whale behavior without the distraction of additional land-based stops.
Insider tip: Dress in layers with a waterproof outer shell. The wind on the open water in March can be piercing, and staying dry is key to enjoying the long watch.
Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!
foodThis tour trades wild landscapes for crafted flavors, weaving through downtown Juneau to sample local ales and lagers in establishments with panoramic views of the Gastineau Channel. You will taste a crisp, hoppy IPA while watching seaplanes land on the flat, reflective water, and feel the warm, convivial atmosphere of a taproom filled with locals. It connects the modern culture of Juneau directly to its rugged setting.
It provides a grounded, social counterpoint to the day's adventures, showing Juneau's community through its independently owned breweries.
Insider tip: Ask your guide about small-batch seasonal releases that might only be available on tap at the brewery itself, often not found in bottles.
Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceThis excursion links the thunderous power of a glacier to the graceful movement of whales, first walking the trail to hear the roar of Nugget Falls crashing near the Mendenhall Glacier's face, then cruising to watch for humpbacks. You will feel the cool mist from the waterfall on your face and see the deep, crevassed blue of the ice up close.
It efficiently satisfies the dual desires to stand at the foot of a glacier and to seek out marine wildlife, all within a single guided outing.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, waterproof boots for the glacier visit. The trail to the waterfall viewpoint can be wet and icy in March.
Norris Adventure: Seaplane, Paddle and Glacier Hike
adventureThis is a full-scale adventure that involves a roaring seaplane flight over frozen peaks, paddling a canoe across a placid lake dotted with icebergs, and finally stepping onto the gritty, ancient ice of a glacier itself. You will hear the absolute silence of the wilderness after the plane's engine cuts, broken only by the crack of shifting ice.
It has a profound, multi-sensory immersion into the remote backcountry that defines the landscape around Juneau, far from any road.
Insider tip: This is a physically demanding tour. Ensure you are comfortable with moderate hiking on uneven, icy terrain and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Juneau Top Sight Seeing Group Tour
guided_experienceAn efficient overview for visitors with limited time, this group tour hits the essential landmarks of Juneau, from the shimmering capitol building to the panoramic lookout points over the channel. You will see the small, weathered houses clinging to the hillsides and learn the layered history of the city from a knowledgeable driver-guide.
It delivers a complete, narrated introduction to the city's layout, history, and key sights from the comfort of a vehicle.
Insider tip: Request a window seat when booking. The views along the winding coastal roads are continuous, and you will want an unobstructed line of sight for photography.
Explore More Activities in Juneau
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See All Juneau Tours on ViatorWhere to Stay in Juneau 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.
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Juneau Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Ignore the glacier visitor center, it's shuttered for construction until May 2026. Access now starts from the West Glacier Trail, fitted with fresh boardwalks last winter.
Ride the final 8:30 PM tram down Mount Roberts. Sunset lingers late, and if the sky stays clear you might catch the aurora dancing over the channel with only five to ten other souls on the deck.
The Red Dog Saloon unlocks at 9 AM for locals. Grab strong coffee and a breakfast sandwich while you map the day, beats any hotel buffet.
Study the NOAA marine forecast, not just the weather report. If small-craft advisories are posted, your Tracy Arm cruise will cancel no matter how blue the sky looks.
Avoid These Mistakes
Avoid booking aurora tours during the full-moon week. March moonlight outshines Juneau's streetlights and washes the green arcs right out of the sky.
Ski gear doesn't translate to glacier hiking. Bring hiking boots with ankle support, ski boots won't grip the ice, and swap ski gloves for slimmer ones; they're too bulky when you're framing shots inside an ice cave.
Don't expect summer hours. The Mt. Roberts Alpine Loop trail closes sections seasonally, and several downtown restaurants shut their doors Sunday-Tuesday in March.
Daylight saving time hits in March. Alaska springs forward, and that lost hour will scramble your glacier itinerary if you forget.
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