Niobrara National Scenic River in May
May at Niobrara National Scenic River averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 43°F. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 43°F
- Average high
- 70°F
Range across the year: 9°F to 88°F
- Daylight
- 14.4 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 5,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004 to 2025.
That makes May the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (4×) and the December low (0.1×).
May is our recommended month at Niobrara: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 57°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 7.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 75% 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 8.9-hour midwinter low and the 15.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 77,476 recreation visits, up 4.2% from 74,387 in 2024.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 59°F / 31°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 69 Good |
| May | 70°F / 43°F | 0.8× Quiet | 79 Excellent |
| June | 81°F / 54°F | 1.9× Very busy | 80 Excellent |
All twelve months at Niobrara, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Niobrara in May
The National Park Service tags 4 Niobrara activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Float the Niobrara River · 1-8 hours
- Bike the Cowboy Trail
- Hike to Fort Falls · 20-60 minutes
- Shoot Winter Photography at Fort Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 43°F at Niobrara National Scenic River. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Niobrara National Scenic River (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 79/100. May is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. May sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Niobrara National Scenic River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004–2025.
Where to stay near Niobrara in May
Booking a May trip to Niobrara National Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Niobrara
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2004–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.