Fossil Butte National Monument in May
May at Fossil Butte National Monument averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 63°F
Range across the year: 5°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 1.5 in
- Daylight
- 14.4 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 2,000 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 (2.8×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 14.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 20,626 recreation visits, down 4% from 21,491 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 52°F / 23°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 57 Fair |
| May | 63°F / 30°F | 1.2× Busy | 55 Fair |
| June | 74°F / 35°F | 2.4× Very busy | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Fossil Butte, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Fossil Butte National Monument, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Fossil Butte National Monument (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Fossil Butte National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fossil Butte in May
Booking a May trip to Fossil Butte National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fossil Butte
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 Fossil Butte in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Fossil Butte 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.