Colorado National Monument in May
May at Colorado National Monument averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 49°F, with about 1.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 49°F
- Average high
- 74°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 1.2 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 49,000 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 Colorado; February, the quietest, runs only about 0.6× the average — a 2-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 47/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
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 4.2 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 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 483,436 recreation visits, down 0.9% from 488,038 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 23.5%, 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 | 63°F / 39°F | 1.1× Average | 47 Fair |
| May | 74°F / 49°F | 1.3× Busy | 47 Fair |
| June | 87°F / 59°F | 1.3× Busy | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Colorado, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Colorado in May
The National Park Service tags 12 Colorado activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Backpacking in the Monument · 1-7 days · reservation required
- Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center · 1-8 hours
- Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument · 2-4 hours
- Hiking from Devils Kitchen Picnic Area · 1-8 hours
- Junior Ranger of the Monument · 20-60 minutes
- Road Biking on Rim Rock Drive · 2-5 hours
- Shop for Monument Souvenirs · 10-60 minutes
- Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center · 15-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 49°F at Colorado National Monument, with about 1.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Colorado National Monument (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 47/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is February. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 49,000 recreation visits at Colorado National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Colorado in May
Booking a May trip to Colorado National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Colorado
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.