Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve in May
May at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 34°F, with about 0.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes May a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 34°F
- Average high
- 56°F
Range across the year: -19°F to 70°F
- Precipitation
- 0.9 in
- Daylight
- 19.5 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 130 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (4×) and the October low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 33/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 45°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 74.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 85% 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 19.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 0-hour midwinter low and the 24-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2016 drew 10,047 recreation visits, down 20.7% from 12,669 in 2014.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 51.1%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 36°F / 13°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 13 Poor |
| May | 56°F / 34°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 33 Poor |
| June | 70°F / 47°F | 2.7× Very busy | 61 Good |
All twelve months at Gates Of The Arctic, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Gates Of The Arctic 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.
- Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station (visitor center): closed until May 15, 2027
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until May 22, 2027
- Bettles Ranger Station and Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 16, 2026 to June 10, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 34°F at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve, with about 0.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 74.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very quiet at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 33/100. Our recommended month is June. May draws about 18% of the visits Gates Of The Arctic sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is October. May sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Gates Of The Arctic in May
Booking a May trip to Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gates Of The Arctic
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.