Channel Islands National Park in May
May at Channel Islands National Park averages a daytime high near 68°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 68°F
Range across the year: 42°F to 72°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 28,000 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 (1.5×) and the January low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 64/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 59°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 29.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 227,186 recreation visits, down 13.5% from 262,581 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 13.6%, 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 | 65°F / 48°F | 1.0× Average | 61 Good |
| May | 68°F / 51°F | 1.1× Average | 64 Good |
| June | 68°F / 54°F | 1.3× Busy | 57 Fair |
All twelve months at Channel Islands, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Channel Islands 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.
- Santa Rosa Island Backcountry Beach Camping (campground): closed all month (January 1, 2027 to August 14, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 68°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Channel Islands National Park, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 29.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Channel Islands National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 28,000 recreation visits at Channel Islands National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Channel Islands in May
Booking a May trip to Channel Islands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Channel Islands
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.