Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in May
May at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 2.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 4°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 2.1 in
- Daylight
- 15.0 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 1,500 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 56°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 16.8 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 15 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.2-hour midwinter low and the 15.8-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 12,028 recreation visits, down 7.1% from 12,942 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 23.2%, 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 | 58°F / 31°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 61 Good |
| May | 69°F / 42°F | 1.4× Busy | 68 Good |
| June | 77°F / 51°F | 3.6× Very busy | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort Union Trading Post, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Union Trading Post in May
The National Park Service tags 3 Fort Union Trading Post activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Jr. Ranger and Jr. Trader at Fort Union · 30-90 minutes
- Tour Fort Union Trading Post · 30-120 minutes
- Watch the Fort Union Trading Post Orientation Film · 9-9 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 42°F at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Union Trading Post in May
Booking a May trip to Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Union Trading Post
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Fort Union Trading Post in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Fort Union Trading Post by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.