Curecanti National Recreation Area in May
May at Curecanti National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 32°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 32°F
- Average high
- 66°F
Range across the year: -1°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 81,000 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 (2.6×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 60/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 49°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 54% 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 807,117 recreation visits, down 17.7% from 980,899 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56°F / 24°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 52 Fair |
| May | 66°F / 32°F | 1.0× Average | 60 Good |
| June | 77°F / 39°F | 2.0× Very busy | 56 Fair |
All twelve months at Curecanti, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Curecanti in May
The National Park Service tags 12 Curecanti activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike Crystal Creek Trail · 2-3 hours
- Boat on Blue Mesa Reservoir
- Drive East Portal Road · 1-2 hours
- Fishing at Curecanti
- Hike Curecanti Creek Trail · 2-3 hours
- Hike Mesa Creek Trail · 1-2 hours
- Hike Pine Creek Trail · 1-2 hours
- Drive CO Highway 92 · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 32°F at Curecanti National Recreation Area, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Curecanti National Recreation Area (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 60/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 81,000 recreation visits at Curecanti National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Curecanti in May
Booking a May trip to Curecanti National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Curecanti
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.