Crater Lake National Park in May
May at Crater Lake National Park averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 29°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation and roughly 15" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 29°F
- Average high
- 49°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 69°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Snowfall
- 15 in
- Daylight
- 14.5 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 36,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.4×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 47/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 39°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 14.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 632,242 recreation visits, up 25.2% from 504,942 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.4%, 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 | 40°F / 23°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 49 Fair |
| May | 49°F / 29°F | 0.7× Quiet | 47 Fair |
| June | 57°F / 34°F | 1.7× Very busy | 45 Fair |
All twelve months at Crater Lake, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Crater Lake 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.
- Mazama Campground (campground): closed all month (October 7, 2026 to June 5, 2027)
- Rim Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until May 22, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 29°F at Crater Lake National Park, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 15 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Crater Lake National Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 47/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 36,000 recreation visits at Crater Lake National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Crater Lake in May
Booking a May trip to Crater Lake National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Crater Lake
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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.