How Crowded Is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in May?
May runs about 0.8× Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's average month, which makes it a quiet month here — roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in May.
In a typical May the park sees about 101,000 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the January peak (1.2×) and the September low (0.8×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 84/100 ("Excellent"), versus the top-rated September at 79/100 — pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
Typical May weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 68°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation.
That average of about 75°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day.
Because June, July and August together draw about 25% 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 12.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — near the year-round maximum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,877,854 recreation visits, up 31% from 1,433,593 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
May is quiet at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent". The single best month overall is September.
The busiest month is January and the quietest is September. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 101,000 recreation visits at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in May
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Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-07-14.