Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in May
May at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 46°F, with about 3.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 46°F
- Average high
- 61°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 69°F
- Precipitation
- 3.4 in
- Daylight
- 14.8 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 23,000 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 (1.9×) and the December low (0.4×).
May is our recommended month at Lewis and Clark: 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 5.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 44% 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 14.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 8.4-hour midwinter low and the 15.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 244,195 recreation visits, down 8.6% from 267,118 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56°F / 42°F | 0.8× Quiet | 53 Fair |
| May | 61°F / 46°F | 1.1× Average | 59 Fair |
| June | 64°F / 51°F | 1.5× Busy | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Lewis and Clark, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Lewis and Clark in May
The National Park Service tags 12 Lewis and Clark activities for spring. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- See the Pacific at Cape Disappointment · 2-4 hours
- Clay Pit Pond Trail · 15-60 minutes
- Continue South to Find a Whale · 1-4 hours
- Find a Salt Camp in Seaside · 5-10 minutes
- Fort Clatsop Audio Tour · 20-60 minutes
- Kwis Kwis Trail · 1-5 hours
- Netul River Trail · 20-60 minutes
- Stretch Your Legs at the Dismal Nitch Wayside · 5-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 46°F at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, with about 3.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 59/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 23,000 recreation visits at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lewis and Clark in May
Booking a May trip to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lewis and Clark
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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.