Little River Canyon National Preserve in May
May at Little River Canyon National Preserve averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 58°F
- Average high
- 81°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 5.0 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 73,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2003 to 2025.
That makes May the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 70°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 6.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 781,518 recreation visits, up 2.4% from 763,209 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 40.8%, so a May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 74°F / 50°F | 1.0× Average | 62 Good |
| May | 81°F / 58°F | 1.3× Busy | 55 Fair |
| June | 88°F / 67°F | 1.5× Busy | 36 Poor |
All twelve months at Little River Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 58°F at Little River Canyon National Preserve, with about 5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Little River Canyon National Preserve (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 73,000 recreation visits at Little River Canyon National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2003–2025.
Where to stay near Little River Canyon in May
Booking a May trip to Little River Canyon National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Little River Canyon
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2003–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.