Katmai National Park & Preserve in May
May at Katmai National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0× the park's average month, which makes May a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 52°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 62°F
- Precipitation
- 1.5 in
- Daylight
- 16.5 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 120 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (5.1×) and the January low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 29/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 43°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 43.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 83% 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 16.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 6-hour midwinter low and the 18-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2023 drew 33,763 recreation visits, down 34.5% from 51,511 in 2020.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 10.3%, 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 | 43°F / 26°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 17 Poor |
| May | 52°F / 33°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 29 Poor |
| June | 59°F / 40°F | 1.7× Very busy | 76 Excellent |
All twelve months at Katmai, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Katmai 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.
- Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 18, 2026 to June 6, 2027)
- Brooks Camp Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
Things to do at Katmai in May
The National Park Service tags 5 Katmai activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike to Dumpling Overlook
- Watch Bears at Brooks Camp
- Become A Katmai Jr. Ranger · 30-90 minutes
- Become a Not-So-Junior Ranger at Katmai
- Explore Katmai by Air · reservation required
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Katmai National Park & Preserve, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 43.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is very quiet at Katmai National Park & Preserve (about 0.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 29/100. Our recommended month is June. May draws about 3% of the visits Katmai 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 January. May sits at about 0.0× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Katmai National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Katmai in May
Booking a May trip to Katmai National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Katmai
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 Katmai in May?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Katmai 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.