Noatak National Preserve in May
May at Noatak National Preserve averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes May a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: -8°F to 60°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 19.7 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 850 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes May the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the November peak (1.9×) and the March low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is July: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 33°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 107 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 19.7 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 0-hour midwinter low and the 24-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,621 recreation visits, down 74.8% from 18,311 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 8.5%, 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 | 24°F / 9°F | 0.6× Quiet | 53 Fair |
| May | 39°F / 27°F | 0.7× Quiet | 54 Fair |
| June | 53°F / 42°F | 0.9× Average | 65 Good |
All twelve months at Noatak, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Noatak National Preserve, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 107 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is quiet at Noatak National Preserve (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is July.
The busiest month is November and the quietest is March. May sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Noatak National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Noatak in May
Booking a May trip to Noatak National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Noatak
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.