In the Northern Hemisphere, where Montana is, the spring equinox usually happens around March 20 or 21. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season. In March, Montana gains about an hour and a half more daylight from the beginning to the end of the month, more than during any other month of the year. You might notice the sun setting later, snow starting to melt in many places, and birds and animals becoming more active again.

Spring is also important for Montana farms and ranches. As the ground thaws and the soil warms up in April and May, farmers start planting cool-season crops like spring wheat, barley, sugar beets, lentils, and peas. They have to pay close attention to frost and soil temperature so the seeds can sprout and grow well. Even though a lot of the real planting happens a few weeks after the equinox, the first day of spring is a signal that the busy growing season is getting close in Montana.

Across Montana, spring is a quieter time in many parks and outdoor areas, before the big crowds of summer arrive. Some roads and campgrounds in high mountain places, like Glacier National Park, are still snowy and not fully open until late spring or early summer. But lower-elevation trails and towns start seeing more visitors who want to hike, watch wildlife, and enjoy rushing rivers and waterfalls fed by melting snow. For many Montanans, the first day of spring is a reminder that longer, warmer days and a new outdoor season are on the way.

Updated: March 20, 2026