Canyonlands National Park in May
May at Canyonlands National Park averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 46°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.8× the park's average month, which makes May a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 46°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 17°F to 95°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 15% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 116,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the single busiest month of the year at Canyonlands; January, the quietest, runs only about 0.1× the average — a 13-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 62°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 8.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 796,057 recreation visits, down 2.7% from 818,492 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 13.2%, 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 | 67°F / 36°F | 1.5× Busy | 43 Poor |
| May | 77°F / 46°F | 1.8× Very busy | 48 Fair |
| June | 89°F / 56°F | 1.4× Busy | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Canyonlands, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Canyonlands in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Canyonlands activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Auto Touring in Canyonlands · reservation required
- Backcountry Camping in Canyonlands · 1-14 days · reservation required
- Boating in Canyonlands · 1-12 days · reservation required
- Experience the Shafer Trail · 1 hour
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 46°F at Canyonlands National Park, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very busy at Canyonlands National Park (about 1.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.8× the park's average, or 15% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 116,000 recreation visits at Canyonlands National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Canyonlands in May
Booking a May trip to Canyonlands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Canyonlands
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.