Glacier National Park in May
May at Glacier National Park averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 39°F, with about 2.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 39°F
- Average high
- 64°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 2.6 in
- Daylight
- 15.0 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 187,000 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 (3.3×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 72/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 52°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 15.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 69% 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 8.1-hour midwinter low and the 15.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,136,557 recreation visits, down 2.3% from 3,208,755 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 53°F / 31°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 17 Poor |
| May | 64°F / 39°F | 0.8× Quiet | 72 Good |
| June | 70°F / 45°F | 2.2× Very busy | 59 Fair |
All twelve months at Glacier, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Glacier 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.
- Fish Creek Campground (campground): closed until May 14, 2027
- Rising Sun Campground (campground): closed until May 28, 2027
- Cut Bank Campground (campground): closed until May 28, 2027
- Avalanche Campground (campground): closed all month (September 21, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Logan Pass Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- St. Mary Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until May 21, 2027
- Many Glacier Campground (campground): closed all month (October 20, 2026 to June 4, 2027)
- Logging Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 26, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Bowman Lake Campground (campground): closed until May 11, 2027
Things to do at Glacier in May
The National Park Service tags 37 Glacier activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 39°F at Glacier National Park, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Glacier National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 72/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 187,000 recreation visits at Glacier National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier in May
Booking a May trip to Glacier National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier
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.