Lake Mead National Recreation Area in May
May at Lake Mead National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 93°F and an overnight low around 65°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 65°F
- Average high
- 93°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 109°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.9 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 689,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.3×) and the December low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 32/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 79°F is hot, with afternoons near 93°F to plan the day around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 13.9 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 6,135,586 recreation visits, down 4.3% from 6,412,854 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 17.4%, 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 | 83°F / 56°F | 1.1× Average | 67 Good |
| May | 93°F / 65°F | 1.2× Busy | 32 Poor |
| June | 104°F / 74°F | 1.3× Busy | 12 Poor |
All twelve months at Lake Mead, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Lake Mead in May
The National Park Service tags 34 Lake Mead activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike the River Mountains Loop Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Historic Railroad Trail · 1-4 hours
- Hike the Lake View Trail · 1-4 hours
- Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Lone Palm Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail · 4-8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 93°F and an overnight low around 65°F at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 32/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 689,000 recreation visits at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lake Mead in May
Booking a May trip to Lake Mead National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Mead
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.