Lassen Volcanic National Park in May
May at Lassen Volcanic National Park averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 35°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
- 35°F
- Average high
- 61°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 79°F
- Precipitation
- 2.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.3 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 30,000 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 (2.8×) and the February low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 61/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 57% 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 14.3 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 504,777 recreation visits, up 41.1% from 357,651 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 8.1%, 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 | 50°F / 28°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 54 Fair |
| May | 61°F / 35°F | 0.8× Quiet | 61 Good |
| June | 70°F / 41°F | 1.8× Very busy | 58 Fair |
All twelve months at Lassen Volcanic, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in May 2027
The National Park Service lists these Lassen Volcanic 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.
- Summit Lake North Campground (campground): closed all month (September 8, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Lost Creek Group Campground (campground): closed all month (September 16, 2026 to June 12, 2027)
- Summit Lake South Campground (campground): closed all month (September 25, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Butte Lake Campground (campground): closed until May 29, 2027
- Warner Valley Campground (campground): closed all month (October 14, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Loomis Museum (visitor center): closed until May 20, 2027
- Manzanita Lake Campground (campground): closed until May 21, 2027
- Manzanita Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (April 16, 2027 to October 6, 2027)
Things to do at Lassen Volcanic in May
The National Park Service tags 9 Lassen Volcanic activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Lassen Volcanic National Park, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Lassen Volcanic National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 61/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 30,000 recreation visits at Lassen Volcanic National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lassen Volcanic in May
Booking a May trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lassen Volcanic
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.