De Soto National Memorial in May
May at De Soto National Memorial averages a daytime high near 88°F and an overnight low around 68°F, with about 2.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 68°F
- Average high
- 88°F
Range across the year: 52°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 2.6 in
- Daylight
- 13.4 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 18,000 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 March peak (1.6×) and the September low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 63/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 78°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 21% 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 13.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — near the year-round maximum.
Park-wide, 2023 drew 231,892 recreation visits, up 33.9% from 173,150 in 2022.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.9%, 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 | 83°F / 63°F | 1.0× Average | 71 Good |
| May | 88°F / 68°F | 0.9× Average | 63 Good |
| June | 90°F / 74°F | 0.8× Quiet | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at De Soto, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 88°F and an overnight low around 68°F at De Soto National Memorial, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at De Soto National Memorial (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 63/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is September. May sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 18,000 recreation visits at De Soto National Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near De Soto in May
Booking a May trip to De Soto National Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near De Soto
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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.