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WhenToVisitParks

Lava Beds National Monument in May

Average1.1× average month · best-time score 61/100

May at Lava Beds National Monument averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 38°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.

Average low
38°F
Average high
66°F

Range across the year: 22°F to 86°F

Crowds
1.1× averageAverage
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
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Precipitation
1.4 in
Daylight
14.4 hours

Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 12,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.3×) and the January low (0.3×).

On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 61/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 52°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 3.3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 49% 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 14.4 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 143,659 recreation visits, up 12.6% from 127,563 in 2024.

How May compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
April57°F / 31°F0.7× Quiet51 Fair
May66°F / 38°F1.1× Average61 Good
June76°F / 44°F1.8× Very busy58 Fair

All twelve months at Lava Beds, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

May averages a daytime high near 66°F and an overnight low around 38°F at Lava Beds National Monument, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

May is average at Lava Beds National Monument (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 61/100. Our recommended month is September.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.

A typical May sees about 12,000 recreation visits at Lava Beds National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Lava Beds in May

Booking a May trip to Lava Beds National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Lava Beds

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.