City Of Rocks National Reserve in May
May at City Of Rocks National Reserve averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 2.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.9× the park's average month, which makes May a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 2.1 in
- Daylight
- 14.4 hours
Roughly 16% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 17,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1992 to 2025.
That makes May the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (2.1×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 43/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 55°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 14.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 14.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.9-hour midwinter low and the 15.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 90,898 recreation visits, up 1.1% from 89,949 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 23%, 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 | 60°F / 34°F | 0.6× Quiet | 58 Fair |
| May | 69°F / 42°F | 1.9× Very busy | 43 Poor |
| June | 78°F / 48°F | 2.0× Very busy | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at City Of Rocks, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F at City Of Rocks National Reserve, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very busy at City Of Rocks National Reserve (about 1.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is February. May sits at about 1.9× the park's average, or 16% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 17,000 recreation visits at City Of Rocks National Reserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1992–2025.
Where to stay near City Of Rocks in May
Booking a May trip to City Of Rocks National Reserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near City Of Rocks
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1992–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.