Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in May
May at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 68°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 68°F
- Average high
- 82°F
Range across the year: 65°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 1.4 in
- Daylight
- 12.9 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 101,000 recreation visits in a typical year, 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"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 75°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 14.2 miles from the park.
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.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 80°F / 67°F | 0.9× Average | 77 Excellent |
| May | 82°F / 68°F | 0.8× Quiet | 84 Excellent |
| June | 83°F / 70°F | 1.0× Average | 69 Good |
All twelve months at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 68°F at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 84/100. Our recommended month 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
Booking a May trip to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
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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.