Canyon de Chelly National Monument in May
May at Canyon de Chelly National Monument averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 44°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 44°F
- Average high
- 79°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 54,000 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 August peak (1.4×) and the February low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 59/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 61°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 11.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 13.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 340,586 recreation visits, down 12.1% from 387,433 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 49.6%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 69°F / 36°F | 1.1× Average | 51 Fair |
| May | 79°F / 44°F | 1.1× Average | 59 Fair |
| June | 90°F / 53°F | 1.3× Busy | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Canyon de Chelly, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 44°F at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Canyon de Chelly National Monument (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 59/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 54,000 recreation visits at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Canyon de Chelly in May
Booking a May trip to Canyon de Chelly National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Canyon de Chelly
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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.