Jewel Cave National Monument in May
May at Jewel Cave National Monument averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 41°F, with about 2.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 41°F
- Average high
- 65°F
Range across the year: 11°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 2.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.5 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 7,600 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 (3.5×) and the January low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 69/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 53°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 8.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 71% 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 14.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.7-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 145,332 recreation visits, up 19.6% from 121,536 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 20.1%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 55°F / 30°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 54 Fair |
| May | 65°F / 41°F | 0.8× Quiet | 69 Good |
| June | 76°F / 51°F | 2.4× Very busy | 62 Good |
All twelve months at Jewel Cave, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Jewel Cave in May
The National Park Service tags 5 Jewel Cave activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Wildflower Viewing
- Guided Cave Tours · reservation required
- Hiking Trails
- Historic Area
- Wildlife Viewing
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 41°F at Jewel Cave National Monument, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Jewel Cave National Monument (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 69/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 8,000 recreation visits at Jewel Cave National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Jewel Cave in May
Booking a May trip to Jewel Cave National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Jewel Cave
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 Jewel Cave in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Jewel Cave 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.