Bryce Canyon National Park in May
May at Bryce Canyon National Park averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 37°F, with about 0.9" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 37°F
- Average high
- 63°F
Range across the year: 17°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 0.9 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 14.0 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 285,000 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 September peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is August: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 50°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 43% 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 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,967,367 recreation visits, down 21.2% from 2,498,075 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 54°F / 29°F | 0.9× Average | 35 Poor |
| May | 63°F / 37°F | 1.5× Busy | 40 Poor |
| June | 75°F / 45°F | 1.8× Very busy | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Bryce Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Bryce Canyon in May
The National Park Service tags 14 Bryce Canyon activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bristlecone Loop Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Go Horseback Riding · 2-4 hours · reservation required
- Backcountry Hiking and Camping · reservation required
- Day Hikes
- Get a Passport Stamp
- Mossy Cave Trail · 30-60 minutes
- See the Park Film · 24-30 minutes
- View Wildlife
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 37°F at Bryce Canyon National Park, with about 0.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Bryce Canyon National Park (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is August.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 285,000 recreation visits at Bryce Canyon National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Bryce Canyon in May
Booking a May trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Bryce Canyon
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.