Camp Nelson National Monument in May
May at Camp Nelson National Monument averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 4.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 27°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 4.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.0 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 2,500 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2021 to 2025.
That makes May the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 66°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 6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 20,763 recreation visits, down 40.2% from 34,716 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 70°F / 46°F | 1.0× Average | 52 Fair |
| May | 77°F / 55°F | 1.4× Busy | 48 Fair |
| June | 84°F / 63°F | 1.3× Busy | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Camp Nelson, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 55°F at Camp Nelson National Monument, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Camp Nelson National Monument (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Camp Nelson National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2021–2025.
Where to stay near Camp Nelson in May
Booking a May trip to Camp Nelson National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Camp Nelson
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2021–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.