Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in May
May at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 38°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 38°F
- Average high
- 66°F
Range across the year: 13°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 38,000 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 (1.8×) and the December low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 47/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 52°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 2.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 250,086 recreation visits, down 25.5% from 335,862 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56°F / 29°F | 0.5× Quiet | 56 Fair |
| May | 66°F / 38°F | 1.4× Busy | 47 Fair |
| June | 76°F / 46°F | 1.8× Very busy | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Black Canyon Of The Gunnison 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.
- North Rim Ranger Station (visitor center): closed until May 2, 2027
Things to do at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison in May
The National Park Service tags 8 Black Canyon Of The Gunnison activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 38°F at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 47/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 38,000 recreation visits at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Black Canyon Of The Gunnison in May
Booking a May trip to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
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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.