Badlands National Park in May
May at Badlands National Park averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2 in
- Daylight
- 14.5 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 92,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the December low (0.1×).
May is our recommended month at Badlands: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 55°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 64% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 14.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,139,361 recreation visits, up 4.1% from 1,094,245 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 59°F / 30°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 63 Good |
| May | 69°F / 42°F | 1.1× Average | 66 Good |
| June | 80°F / 52°F | 2.4× Very busy | 58 Fair |
All twelve months at Badlands, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Badlands facilities as closed during May 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- White River Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until May 22, 2027
Things to do at Badlands in May
The National Park Service tags 16 Badlands activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Badlands Ranger Programs · 20-60 minutes
- Enjoy the Night Sky · 30-90 minutes
- Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your Dog
- Visit the White River Visitor Center · 15-60 minutes
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds · reservation required
- Drive Sage Creek Rim Road · 1-2 hours
- Horseback Riding in the Badlands
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F at Badlands National Park, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Badlands National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 66/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 92,000 recreation visits at Badlands National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Badlands in May
Booking a May trip to Badlands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Badlands
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.